Ukraine will be the first in the world to receive Ermine tactical vehicles. They will be manufactured by Rheinmetall
The Dutch Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Rheinmetall Defence Nederland BV to supply 20 Ermine tactical vehicles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Rheinmetall's press service reports.
The agreement was signed on June 24 during the NATO summit in The Hague. The vehicles are expected to enter the front in 2026.
Ermine will be used to evacuate wounded from the front line – both in unmanned and manned modes.
Other Dutch companies, including DEMCON defense & security systems BV and Abiom Communication Systems (ACS) BV, are also involved in the production, which will help strengthen the defense capabilities of both Ukraine and the Netherlands themselves.
Ermine vehicles are a new generation of lightweight mobile platforms that combine tactical transportation with the function of a mobile power source. They can be used for logistics, reconnaissance or evacuation.
The model range includes unmanned ground vehicles, buggies and ATVs, available in 4x4 and 6x6 configurations.
All models are built on a diesel-electric hybrid drive, providing up to one ton of payload and a range of over 1,000 km.
In addition, up to four such vehicles can be transported using military helicopters such as CH-47 or CH-53.
This is the first order for Ermine, and its implementation will not only help the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but will also be an impetus for the development of the Dutch defense industry, Rheinmetall added.
- On May 13, Ukroboronprom and the German arms concern Rheinmetall signed a memorandum of cooperation regarding the possibility of creating another joint venture.
