Germany set to buy Israeli Zibar off-road vehicles for its army

Germany plans to sign a contract to procure 200 Israeli-designed Zibar off-road vehicles for special forces units.

The vehicles will be delivered by FTS (Flensburg Technology Systems), a joint venture between German firm FFG Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Caliber.Az reports per Newsru.co.il.

Over seven years, the order covers 150 light airdropable combat vehicles and 50 support vehicles.

The ordered vehicles are based on the Zibar family, specifically the ZD variant used by the IDF and tested in combat.

The German airdropable version, EGF, will feature three seats and an electronic turret capable of mounting a range of weapons, including a 12.7 mm medium machine gun, an MG6-type light machine gun, or an automatic grenade launcher.

By contrast, the support vehicle (UstgFzg) will have two seats and no primary firing position.

Zibar is an all-terrain tactical utility vehicle designed for ground forces.

Part of ELTA's Z-Family of rugged off-road 4X4 multipurpose vehicles, this off-road vehicle is engineered to endure the harshest environmental conditions while delivering exceptional off-road performance.

Equipped with a powerful and durable engine, a highly reliable automatic transmission, and a robust suspension system, the Zibar can transport soldiers and heavy payloads with impressive speed and stability across sand dunes, rocky trails, swamps, and streams, making it an exceptionally dependable platform for manoeuvring forces.

By Khagan Isayev