Buffalo 3 German Armored Recovery Vehicle
Buffalo 3
Armored Recovery Vehicle
Other
Basic Information
Name
Buffalo 3 German Armored Recovery Vehicle
Designation
Buffalo 3
Alternate Designation
Buffalo 3
Equipment Type
Armored Recovery Vehicle
Manufacturer
Rheinmetall
Date of Introduction
1992
Description
The Buffalo 3 German Armored Recovery Vehicle developed by Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (now KNDS). Built on the Leopard 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) chassis, it is designed to recover and support the heaviest tracked vehicles in modern arsenals, including the Leopard 2A7V and PzH 2000, up to Military Load Class (MLC) 80. Key distinguishing features include its 30-ton crane capable of field-swapping Leopard 2 power packs, a high-performance Rotzler winch system, and heavy armor protection comparable to the MBT it supports. Recent modernization programs (e.g., for the Dutch and German armies) have introduced a "Universal Transport Platform" and digital operating systems to extend service life through 2040.
Ground Specifications
Crew
3
Mobility Type
Tracked
Main Weapon
7.62mm MG3/FN MAG or 12.7mm M2 heavy machine gun
Engine
V-12 Diesel (1100 hp)
NBC Protection
Yes
Max Speed
68.0 km/h
Range
650.0 km
System
Alternative Designation
Buffalo 3
Type
Armored Recovery Vehicle
Manufacturer
Rheinmetall
Configuration
Track
Crew
3 (Commander, Driver, Mechanic/Handler)
Crane System
Type: Hydraulic jib crane, pivoted 270° (located right-front).
Lifting Capacity: 30,000 kg (30 tons).
Reach: Max hook height ~7.9 m; max radius ~4-5 m.
Function: Capable of lifting a complete Leopard 2 power pack (6,000 kg) or turret. The crane has an electronic momentum limiter to prevent tipping.
Main Winch
Rotzler Treibmatic TR 650/3.
Pulling Force: 350 kN (35 tonnes) single line.
Multiplied Force: ~700 kN (70 tons) with 2-part tackle; ~1,000 kN (100 tons) with 3-part tackle.
Cable Length: 180 m (effective usable length ~140 m).
Auxiliary Winch
Used to deploy the heavy main cable.
Pull Force: 15 kN (1.5 tons).
Dozer / Support Blade
Position: Front-mounted.
Function: Hydraulically operated for earthmoving (digging tank slots) and acts as a ground anchor/stabilizer during heavy lifting or winching operations.
Dimensions
Length
9.07 m
Width
3.55 m
Height
2.99 m (roof); 3.00 m (top of weapon station)
Weight, Combat
56,000 kg (Standard) / up to 64,000 kg (with add-on armor/MLC 72+)
Automotive
Engine Name
MTU MB 873 Ka-501
Engine Type
liquid-cooled V12 diesel
Engine Power
1,100 kW (1,500 hp)
Maximum Range
650 km
Maximum Speed
68 km/h
Amphibious
No
Gradient
60%
Side Slope
30%
Vertical Step
INA
Trench
3.0 m
Fording
2.25 m (standard) / 4.0 m (with deep wading gear)
Ground Clearance
0.50 m
Main Weapon System
Note
Typically fitted with a manual or Remote Weapon Station (RWS) armed with a 7.62mm MG3/FN MAG or 12.7mm M2 heavy machine gun.
Protection
Armor
Standard Leopard 2 hull armor (composite/spaced) protecting against heavy machine guns, autocannons, and artillery fragments.
Applique Armor
Modular ballistic plates for the hull and superstructure.
Mine Protection
Reinforced hull floor and blast-attenuating seats (introduced in variants like the Canadian Buffalo and German modernization).
Slat Armor (Cage)
Often fitted to rear and flanks for RPG protection in asymmetric environments (e.g., Afghanistan).
NBC Protection
Yes
Smoke Equipment
Yes
Details
Country of Origin
Germany
Category
Survivability
Land > Survivability
Filter Label
B
Classification
Domain
Ground
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
9.07 m
Width
3.55 m
Height
2.99 m
Weight
56000 kg
Operators (8)
Germany
Sweden
Czech Republic
Spain
Canada
Greece
Netherlands
Switzerland
Something went wrong. Please reload the page.
Reload