M3 Amphibious Rig

Last updated
M3 Amphibious Rig
M3G ferry 2.jpg
M3 of the German Army
Type Amphibious bridging vehicle
Place of origin Germany
Service history
In service1999 [1]
Used bySee Operators
Wars 2003 invasion of Iraq
Production history
DesignerEisenwerke Kaiserslautern (now General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems)
Designed1982–1990s
Manufacturer General Dynamics European Land Combat Systems
Produced1994–present [2]
Specifications
Massapprox. 28 tonnes (62,000 lb) [1]
Length13.03 m (513 in) [3]
Width3.35 m (132 in) with side pontoons folded, 6.57 m (259 in) with side pontoons unfolded [3]
Height3.97 m (156 in) [3]
Crew2–3
EngineDiesel
298 kW (400 hp) [3]
Operational
range
750 km (470 mi) on internal fuel, over land [3]
Maximum speed 80 km/h (50 mph) on land, 14 km/h (8.7 mph) in water [3]

The M3 Amphibious Rig is a self-propelled, amphibious bridging vehicle and ferrying vehicle that is used for the transportation of tanks and other vehicles across water obstacles.

Contents

Development and service

M3

Originally developed by the German firm Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern [1] (EWK, since 2002 acquired by General Dynamics European Land Systems), it succeeded the conceptually similar M2 made by the same company. Like its predecessor, the M3 traverses roads on its four wheels, deploying two large aluminium pontoons for buoyancy on water.

The M3 is 1.4 metres (4.6 ft) longer and 3,300 kg (7,300 lb) heavier than the M2, with the M3 having a turn diameter of 24 metres (79 ft). [4]

Development of the M3 began in 1982, with the final prototype being delivered 10 years later in 1992. [2] A first order of 64 serial vehicles was made in 1994, [2] and it entered service with the German and British armies [1] in 1996. Since then, the M3 has also been adopted by several NATO and allied nations.

M3 EVO

The German Army selected the M3 EVO as part of the Schwimmschnellbrücke 2 (SSB 2) programme to replace the M3 in service. The development starts in 2025, the Critical Design Review is scheduled for March 2027. The prototype is expected for 2029, and the serial production to start in 2029, with the final delivery for Germany in 2036. [5]

Operating concept

The M3 is self-deployable by road, operating as a 4x4 wheeled vehicle with a maximum road speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). For amphibious operation, two large aluminium pontoons are deployed, unfolding them along the length of its hull. The crew exits the vehicle cab to maneuver the pontoon using controls located on top of the hull. In water, the M3 is propelled at speeds of up to 14 km/h (8.7 mph) by two pump jets that can be steered in 360-degrees. [3]

Multiple rigs can be joined together using long ramps, three of which are carried on each vehicle, to form a bridge or a ferry that can be used to cross a water obstacle. Eight M3 Rigs can be used to create a 100-metre-long (330 ft) bridge which can be traversed by vehicles up to and including the heaviest 60-tonne (130,000 lb) main battle tank like the Leopard 2A6 and Challenger 2. [4] Alternatively, just two M3 Rigs may be joined to create a ferry capable of carrying a similar load across much wider water gaps.

Combat history

British M3 Amphibious Rig in Minden, Germany during a joint UK/German Bridging Operation. NATO Bridging Operation In Germany MOD 45162595.jpg
British M3 Amphibious Rig in Minden, Germany during a joint UK/German Bridging Operation.
Brazilian M3 Amphibious Rig General Dynamics M3 (8662927563).jpg
Brazilian M3 Amphibious Rig

Operation Telic

The M3 Amphibious Bridging Vehicle saw its first combat actions in Operation Telic, Britain's military operations in the Iraq War (until withdrawal in 2011). From 25 March 2003, 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron, of 28 Engineer Regiment of the Royal Engineers ferried elements of 3 Commando Brigade across the Shatt Al-Basrah waterway, [6] enabling their continued advance on the Iraqi city of Basra. [7] A subsequent riverine crossing at the Rumaila oil fields was also undertaken by the M3. This action transported three AS90 self-propelled howitzers in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade of the British Army. [6]

Operators

Current operators

M3 system

Flag of Germany.svg Germany (30) and Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom (10)
Germany and the UK both ordered a batch of 64 M3 in 1994. [8]
Both the British Army and the German Army operate together 40 M3 systems in the German-British Engineer Bridge Battalion 130 in Minden. [9] [10]
Flag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia (18)
Indonesian Army: 18 ordered in 2016, confirmed in 2017, the first were received in 2020. [11] [12]
Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia (4)
Latvian Army: ordered in 2021 through a US funding (USD $22 million), it entered service in 2025. [13] [14] [15] [16]
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore
Singapore Army: the M3G entered service in 2007, the quantity hasn't been unveiled. [17]
Flag of South Korea.svg South Korea (110)
South Korean Army: ordered in 2021, the deliveries started in 2024, to continue until 2027. It's produced under licence by Hanwha defence. [18] [19]
Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden (34)
Swedish Army: it is known in Sweden as the "Amfibiebro 400".
Orders:
  • July 2022, 12 ordered with options for additional systems. [20]
  • Second batch of 4 Amfibiebro 400 ordered. [21]
  • March 2024, 9 ordered. [22] [23] [21]
  • September 2024, 9 more ordered, deliveries planned for 2025 - 2027. [23] [21]
Deliveries:
  • the first was handed over in November 2024. [24] [25]
Flag of the Republic of China.svg Taiwan
Republic of China Army: the M3G is in service in the armed forces, but the quantity is unknown. [26]
Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine (6)
The Netherlands supplied 6 M3 systems. [27] This aid was announced in March 2023. [28] [29]

Future operators

M3 system

Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark
Royal Danish Army: ordered by the DALO in September 2025, to enter service in 2028. [30] [31]
Flag of Spain.svg Spain
Spanish Army: ordered in May 2025, with deliveries from 2026 to 2029. The budget approved is of €85 million. [32]

M3 EVO

Flag of Germany.svg Germany (66)
German Army: selected in 2025, prototype in 2029, serial production planned for mid-2031 - 2036. [9] [33] Order signed in October 2025, with a €53 million contract signed. [34]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom
British Army: common order signed with Germany in October 2025 to replace the existing M3 fleet. [34]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Global Defence - EWK Archived 2 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1 2 3 The Amphiclophy Archived 2008-11-21 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "gdsbs.de" (PDF). Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  4. 1 2 "M3 Amphibious Bridging Vehicle". British Army. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "Amphibie M3 EVO wird neues Schwimmbrückensystem - ESUT - Europäische Sicherheit & Technik" (in German). 20 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  6. 1 2 "www.britains-smallwars.com - Web site hosted by Freeola.com". britains-smallwars.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  7. ↑ "Login Required - Once A Marine". onceamarinealwaysamarine.co.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  8. ↑ "M3 Amphibious Bridging and Ferrying System". Army Technology. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  9. 1 2 "Amphibie M3 EVO wird neues Schwimmbrückensystem - ESUT - Europäische Sicherheit & Technik" (in German). 20 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Tag der offenen Tür beim binationalen Pionierbrückenbataillon 130". www.bundeswehr.de (in German). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  11. ↑ "Indonesian Army Receives New Batch M3 Amphibious Rigs - MilitaryLeak.COM". 13 May 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  12. ↑ "Indonesia bridges gaps in vehicle inventory | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  13. ↑ "Latvia to receive M3 amphibious bridging systems". Default. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  14. ↑ "GDELS to Supply Amphibious Bridge and Ferry System to Latvia | GDELS". www.gdels.com. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  15. ↑ "GDELS to supply Amphibious Bridge and Ferry System to Latvia". shephardmedia.com. 22 December 2021.
  16. ↑ "Latvian army shows off its new amphibians". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  17. ↑ "Fact Sheet: M3G (Military Float Bridge/Raft)" (PDF). 24 April 2007.
  18. ↑ "Amphibie M3 für Südkorea" (in German). 30 September 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  19. ↑ "South Korea Army Deploys New KM3 Amphibious Rigs - MilitaryLeak.COM". 16 June 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  20. ↑ "FMV tecknar kontrakt på flytbroar". www.fmv.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  21. 1 2 3 "FMV tar emot amfibiebro 400". www.fmv.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  22. ↑ "FMV tecknar kontrakt på amfibiebro". www.fmv.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  23. 1 2 Hill, John (10 September 2024). "Sweden orders more GDELS M3 bridging systems". Army Technology. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  24. ↑ "Erstes M3-System an Schweden übergeben - S&T - Soldat & Technik". soldat-und-technik.de (in German). 23 November 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  25. ↑ "First M3 system handed over to Sweden | GDELS". www.gdels.com. 18 November 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  26. ↑ "M3 amphibious rig could defend Taipei against river attack from China". Formosa News. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  27. ↑ Defensie, Ministerie van (29 September 2024). "Infographic: past and future deliveries to Ukraine by the Netherlands - Publication - Defensie.nl". english.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  28. ↑ "The Netherlands intends to provide Ukraine with two Alkmaar-class minehunters, M3 bridge and ferry systems". 14 March 2023.
  29. ↑ Defensie, Ministerie van (14 March 2023). "Ollongren zegt Oekraïne mijnenjagers toe bij bezoek aan gebombardeerde havensteden - Nieuwsbericht - Defensie.nl". www.defensie.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  30. ↑ "Denmark to become latest M3 user nation". GDELS. 8 September 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
  31. ↑ "GDELS: Denmark becomes the youngest M3 user nation". 8 September 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  32. ↑ "This is the M3, the advanced self-propelled modular bridge that the Army will buy for its pontooners". www.infodefensa.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 May 2025.
  33. ↑ "Bundestag gibt grünes Licht für 14 Beschaffungsvorhaben im Wert von 7 Milliarden Euro" (in German). 8 October 2025. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  34. 1 2 Roukoz, Jules (30 October 2025). "GDELS to provide Germany and the United Kingdom with new M3 amphibious bridging capabilities". EDR Magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2025.

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