18 January 2001

MaK System developed the Wiesel 2 multipurpose carrier. The first prototype was completed in 1994. Rheinmetall Landsysteme now owns MaK System, which is part of the Rheinmetall DeTec Group.

The German Army already uses the older Wiesel 1 in two versions: anti-tank with TOW missiles (crew of three); and armed with a 20mm cannon (crew of two).

The Wiesel 2 is larger than the Wiesel 1 with an additional roadwheel station on either side, a higher hull and a more powerful engine and more internal volume. It is therefore able to undertake a wider range of battlefield roles.

The first production Wiesel 2 application is for the STN ATLAS Elektronik ATLAS Short-Range Air-Defence System now in production for the German Army. The Ozelot weapon platform version has four Stinger surface-to-air missiles in the ready-to-launch position while the platoon command post has the Helicopter & Airplane Radio/Radar Detection.

Specifications (APC)

Crew: 2 + 4

Armament: 1 x 7.62mm machine gun

Combat weight: 4,100kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 26.58hp/t

Power pack: Audi TDI four-cylinder diesel developing 109hp coupled to a ZF automatic transmission

Length: 4.20m

Width: 1.852m

Height: 2.11m

Max speed: 70km/h

Range: 550km

Airportable: C-130 Hercules

Status

In production. The German Army has ordered a total of 67 systems based on the Wiesel 2 chassis for delivery from late 2000-02.

Variants

Other versions of Wiesel 2 at the prototype stage include an armoured personnel carrier; 120mm self-propelled mortar carrier; reconnaissance vehicle; ammunition resupply vehicle; and engineer reconnaissance vehicle. There are also many experimental versions.

Manufacturer

Rheinmetall Landsysteme (formerly MaK System GmbH), Kiel, Germany

Wiesel 2 multipurpose carrier (Source: MaK)