Bundeswehr expands 'Schakal' fleet for NATO's eastern flank

The Schakal is more than just a new armoured vehicle. It is a key component of the German army's so-called Medium Forces - a new category of troops designed to be rapidly deployable while also offering substantial firepower.

This capability is particularly important in the context of NATO's eastern flank.

Rapid forces for the eastern flank

The current security situation in Europe has fundamentally changed the demands placed on the Bundeswehr.

The central question once again is how German units can be quickly moved to an area of operations in the event of a threat, and how they can then hold their own there against a heavily armed opponent.

For NATO, the eastern flank is of particular importance.

Since Germany plays a key role within the alliance in reinforcing and defending this region, the Bundeswehr needs units that can cover large distances quickly.

This is precisely where the Medium Forces come in. They are intended to fill the gap between light, highly mobile units and heavy armoured troops.

The Schakal is the key combat vehicle for this task, with the Bundeswehr describing it as the "backbone" of the Medium Forces.

Germany had originally ordered 150 Schakal infantry fighting vehicles, but a further 35 are now being delivered. The contract not only covers the vehicles themselves, but also additional services for logistics, training and operations.

The timing is noteable. At the same time, the Bundeswehr is pursuing a number of other major procurement programmes. New main battle tanks, artillery systems, air defence systems and additional protected vehicles are being acquired in an effort to close capability gaps that have developed over the last few decades.

Why the Schakal?

Why is the Bundeswehr not relying solely on heavy tracked vehicles for this mission?

The answer lies in mobility.

The Schakal is based on the GTK Boxer, an eight-wheeled armoured vehicle, and unlike a heavy tracked tank, it can cover long distances on roads relatively quickly. It is precisely this combination of protection, firepower and mobility that is crucial for the Medium Forces.

The basic idea is simple: a unit should be able to move to a different theatre of operations at speed, and without having to depend on extensive transport capacity for every major redeployment.

With the new vehicle, the Bundeswehr is trying to close a gap between different vehicle classes.

On one side are heavily armoured tracked vehicles, such as the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, which offer high levels of protection and combat power but are less suited to rapid redeployment over long distances.

On the other are lighter vehicles, such as the Dingo, which are more mobile but do not have the same firepower as an infantry fighting vehicle.

The Schakal is intended to sit between these two - heavy enough for combat but mobile enough for rapid operations.

The Schakal uses the Boxer chassis and has an unmanned RCT-30 turret derived from the Puma infantry fighting vehicle. Its main weapon is a 30-millimetre automatic cannon.

This enables the vehicle, among other things, to engage lightly and moderately armoured targets. It also has capabilities for countering drones and aircraft, as well as the integrated MELLS guided missile system for engaging heavily armoured targets.

Ordering the vehicles is just the first step. It does not mean the new formations will be operational overnight.

Soldiers have to be trained, spare parts and ammunition provided, logistics structures set up and the new units fully established.

The first Schakals are scheduled to be delivered from the end of 2027, but it will be longer before the entire fleet and the supporting structures are fully in place.

The expansion of the Schakal fleet is therefore a long-term project, but it also highlights the direction in which the German army is heading - towards a force once again capable of deploying larger formations for a potential conventional conflict in Europe.