Earlier this year, German defense leaders said that Berlin plans to send Ukraine 16 Biber bridge-layer tanks to help its forces "overcome water or other obstacles in battle". The first six systems are due to be delivered later this year, and 10 more systems will follow next year, Germany's Federal Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht said.
The Beaver (Biber) is a German-made Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) based on the tracked chassis and the armored hull of the Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank. It is a highly mobile, rapidly deployable assault bridge that can be used to span natural and man-made obstacles on the battlefield. The engineering vehicle is equipped with a 22-meter-long bridge that can be used to cross rivers or trenches by tracked or wheeled vehicles of up to 60 tons.
The Beaver AVLB is powered by a V-10, twin super-charged multi-fuel Diesel engine developing 830 hp. It is equipped with an NBC protection system that provides protection against nuclear, biological, and chemical agents. It is also equipped with eight smoke / HE (High Explosive) grenade dischargers.
In terms of technical features, the Beaver AVLB has a length of 11.82m, a width of 4.0 m, and a height of 3.57 m. The bridge launcher vehicle has a combat weight of 45,450 kg.
Source: Bochkala
