Indonesia orders tracked armoured vehicles from Rheinmetall worth around €216 million

The Indonesian Ministry of Defence has contracted with the Rheinmetall Group of Düsseldorf to supply it with tracked armoured vehicles, logistical support and ammunition worth roughly €216 million.

The contract, which was signed in December 2012, now comes into full force following the successful completion of all legal formalities.

Along with 103 thoroughly overhauled and modernized Leopard 2 main battle tanks, the order encompasses 42 upgraded Marder 1A3 infantry fighting vehicles and 11 various armoured recovery and engineering vehicles, plus associated documentation, training equipment and additional logistical support. Furthermore, the order includes an initial supply of practice and service ammunition. Indonesia thus becomes the 18th Leopard 2 MBT user nation.

Delivery to the Indonesian Army will take place progressively during the 2014-2016 timeframe.

With a population of some 240 million, Indonesia is one of the world's largest democracies. It plays an increasingly important role as a regional superpower and source of stability in South East Asia.

The decision to procure these vehicles reflects Indonesia's need to modernize its ability to respond to potential threats to its territorial integrity. Moreover, in order to take part in UN peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions, Indonesia requires equipment that corresponds to the military standards of its partner nations.

Rheinmetall has over forty years' experience in developing and manufacturing main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and related combat support systems. The Leopard 2 continues to set the standard for modern MBTs, with over 3,600 now in service.

The Rheinmetall Group played a decisive part in developing and producing Leopard 2 tanks ordered by the armed forces of Germany and the Netherlands. Of the 2,125 A4 versions of the Leopard 2 built, Rheinmetall completely manufactured 977 of these systems in Kiel, all of which went to the German and Dutch armies.

When teamed with the Leopard 2 MBT, Rheinmetall's Büffel/Buffalo 3 armoured recovery vehicle forms a veritable "Main Battle Tank System". The Group's extensive portfolio of Leopard-based vehicles and associated armament and ammunition attests to its unsurpassed systems engineering capabilities and extreme competence in the world of combat and combat support vehicles.

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