Rheinmetall Demonstrates the Kodiak Armored Engineer Vehicle (AEV 3) in Poland
Held on 26 February 2025 at the Ostrowo Krzyckie training grounds, the demonstration highlighted the Kodiak’s capabilities in combat engineering, mobility, and battlefield support.
Ostrowo Krzyckie, Poland – 6 March 2025 – Rheinmetall has showcased the exceptional performance and versatility of the Kodiak Armored Engineer Vehicle (AEV 3) during a high-profile event for the Polish military leadership. Held on 26 February 2025 at the Ostrowo Krzyckie training grounds, the demonstration highlighted the Kodiak’s capabilities in combat engineering, mobility, and battlefield support. The event was attended by representatives from the Polish Armed Forces, procurement authorities, and defense industry stakeholders, underscoring growing interest in Rheinmetall’s advanced combat engineering solutions.
Kodiak: A Force Multiplier for Modern Combat Engineering
As military forces face increasingly complex battlefield challenges, combat engineers play a crucial role in ensuring mobility, counter-mobility, and survivability in diverse operational scenarios. Whether deployed in NATO joint operations, peacekeeping missions, or domestic disaster response, modern engineering forces require highly capable, multi-role armored vehicles. The Kodiak AEV 3, based on the Leopard 2 main battle tank chassis, exemplifies Rheinmetall’s cutting-edge approach to combat engineering solutions.
During the dynamic demonstration, the Kodiak exhibited:
- Exceptional mobility – High-speed maneuverability and rapid acceleration across rugged terrain.
- Combat engineering capabilities – Deployment of the centrally-mounted excavator arm and dozer blade for key battlefield tasks.
- Obstacle creation and clearance – Digging of an anti-tank trench and subsequent repair of a damaged flood barrier.
- Gap-crossing and obstacle breaching – Successfully crossing the newly created anti-tank trench, demonstrating its capability to support mechanized forces in overcoming battlefield obstacles.
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Kodiak: The Only Next-Generation Armored Engineer Vehicle in Active Service
The Pionierpanzer 3 Kodiak is the only modernized armored engineer vehicle currently in active service that has been specifically designed for combat engineers. Built on the Leopard 2 chassis, it offers:
- Superior battlefield mobility – Powered by a 1,100 kW (1,500 hp) engine, ensuring optimal performance in diverse environments.
- Enhanced survivability – Heavy armor protection equivalent to main battle tanks.
- Multi-role engineering functions – A centrally mounted excavator arm, a front-mounted dozer blade, and modular mission kits.
Rheinmetall is the lead manufacturer of the Kodiak AEV 3, supplying multiple international partners. Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Singapore have already integrated the Kodiak into their Leopard 2-based armored fleets. In 2021, the German Bundeswehr awarded Rheinmetall a contract to deliver 44 Kodiak AEVs, strengthening Germany’s combat engineering capabilities.
Modular Adaptability: Converting Kodiak to Keiler Next Generation (NG) Mine-Clearing Vehicle
A key highlight of the Polish demonstration was the modular transformation of the Kodiak into the Keiler NG (Next Generation) armored breaching vehicle. Lessons learned from recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, have reaffirmed the critical importance of mine and obstacle clearance in modern warfare. The Keiler NG, unveiled at Eurosatory 2024, is Rheinmetall’s latest high-protection, high-mobility mine-clearing system, specifically engineered to breach enemy defensive barriers under fire.
Two Procurement Options for Armed Forces
Rheinmetall offers military customers two flexible procurement models:
- Upgrading existing Kodiak AEVs – By integrating the Keiler NG mine-clearance kit into their current fleets.
- Acquiring a fully customized Keiler NG system – Tailored to national defense requirements.
The modular retrofit capability was demonstrated through the rapid installation of Keiler NG’s advanced mine-clearance components onto the Kodiak AEV 3, including:
- Wide-area mine plow (4m width) – Capable of clearing up to 250 meters of minefields per minute in soft soil conditions.
- Rocket-assisted explosive line charge (Plofadder system) – Deploys a 160-meter-long explosive cord to clear paths through dense minefields and obstacles. When fired in overlapping sequence, this system can clear 250 meters of obstacles in seconds.
- Magnetic field duplicator – Used to trigger magnetically activated mines ahead of advancing forces.
- Mine lane marking system – Ensures safe navigation for following units, even under low-visibility or nighttime conditions.
The Keiler NG also replaces the Kodiak’s excavator arm with an integrated crane, allowing for independent reconfiguration, maintenance, and logistical resupply in field conditions.
Enhanced Battlefield Survivability: Integrated Defense Systems
Both the Kodiak AEV 3 and the Keiler NG are equipped with state-of-the-art defensive features, including:
- ROSY rapid obscurant system – A quick-reacting smoke screen system for countering threats from anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
- Natter 12.7mm remote weapon station – Providing crew protection against enemy infantry, drones, and light vehicles.
A Future-Proofed Solution for Combat Engineers
The successful Kodiak and Keiler NG demonstration in Poland underscores Rheinmetall’s commitment to providing innovative combat engineering solutions for modern armed forces. As battlefield conditions continue to evolve, the demand for modular, highly protected engineering vehicles is increasing—ensuring that forces maintain mobility, clear obstacles, and enhance battlefield survivability in contested environments.
With proven battlefield performance, modular adaptability, and cutting-edge defensive systems, the Kodiak and Keiler NG represent the next generation of armored engineering vehicles, providing military forces with the capabilities they need to dominate the modern battlefield.
