Keiler Next Generation (NG) is an advanced armoured breaching vehicle (ABV) developed by Rheinmetall, a German arms manufacturer.
The newly designed armoured breaching system is engineered to rapidly clear barriers in combat situations.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
It is an upgrade of Rheinmetall’s Keiler mine clearing tank, which has been established as a reliable system for tactical mine clearing worldwide.
Keiler NG was unveiled to the public for the first time at the Eurosatory 2024 trade fair in Paris, France, in June 2024.
Rheinmetall demonstrated the capabilities of the Keller NG during a live demonstration in August 2024 at the Bergen Military Training Area in Germany.
Keiler NG armoured breaching vehicle design and features
The Keiler NG ABV weighs 63 tonnes (t) and is constructed on the chassis of the Kodiak armoured engineer vehicle, making it a member of the Leopard 2 family.
Existing Kodiak Army engineer tanks can be upgraded to a configuration similar to the Keiler NG vehicle using equipment kits, with the current Kodiak verification guides facilitating the operational readiness of the vehicle.
The system is designed to allow for remote-controlled operation, integration with an active protection system, and connectivity within a digitalised battlefield.
It is capable of clearing anti-tank obstacles, filling in trenches, creating emplacements and prepared positions, and features an integrated crane for conversions, resupply, and retooling operations.
The Keiler NG can accommodate a crew of two soldiers. To enhance its self-defence capabilities, the vehicle is equipped with the with the rapid obscurant system and the Natter 12.7 remotely controlled weapon station.
ROSY differs from traditional smoke and obscurant systems by generating dynamic smoke screens within a second and providing an instant, large-area, multispectral disruption of the line of sight.
The remote-controlled NATTER 12.7 weapon station allows for the integration of various upgrade kits, accommodating weapons ranging from 5.56mm x 45mm to 12.7mm x 99mm calibres, as well as the GMW 40mm.
Performance
The new platform offers exceptional agility, with a top speed of 65km/h. It can climb 90cm, has a gradeability of 60%, and can cross trenches over 2.5m wide.
Equipment of Keiler NG ABV
The Keiler NG ABV is equipped with a mine plough, a rocket-assisted mine-clearing line charge, and a magnetic signature duplicator, allowing it to penetrate deep enemy obstacles across various terrains.
The ABV is equipped with the Pearson mine plough, which is more than 4m wide. The mine plough can clear mines at a speed of up to 250m per minute and is equipped with a quick-change front-end interface for easy switching between a mine plough and a dozer blade.
For solid ground clearance, the Plofadder rocket-assisted mine-clearing system from Rheinmetall Denel Munition is mounted on the Keiler NG ABV.
The Plofadder system is capable of creating a breach 160m long and 9m wide in minefields and obstacles within minutes.
When fired in overlapping bursts, the two Plofadder systems of the Keiler NG can clear minefields up to 250m deep.
The Keiler NG ABV also has a magnetic signature duplicator that triggers second-generation mines before the plough reaches them.
Additionally, its lane marking system marks the paths for following forces, even in low visibility or at night.
