Rheinmetall to modernise German army with armoured field hospitals

German defence giant Rheinmetall has signed a €300 million contract to build mobile, armoured field hospitals for the German Armed Forces, marking a major step in modernising the military’s medical infrastructure.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2029, with the systems intended for use by German troops stationed in Lithuania and other frontline deployments, as reported by German media outlet Handelsblatt.

The contract, which runs until 2040, includes provisions for additional orders should more units be required.

The initiative forms part of Berlin’s broader military modernisation drive, aimed at enhancing medical readiness for high-risk missions while strengthening NATO’s defensive posture on Europe’s eastern flank.

“This will enable us to provide our soldiers on the ground with the best possible medical care,” said Deniz Akitürk, the managing director of Rheinmetall Project Solutions, which is overseeing the program.

Earlier this year, Rheinmetall also secured a “double-digit million-euro” contract to deliver 120 military medical trucks under a separate program for Germany’s armed forces.

The new facilities will meet NATO’s Role 2B standard, capable of supporting emergency surgeries and intensive care operations close to combat zones.

Each mobile hospital setup will comprise 11 armoured vehicles fitted with medical containers that can remain attached while in motion, allowing for rapid deployment and immediate readiness in the field.

The vehicles are based on Rheinmetall’s HX military truck platform, designed for rough terrain and reinforced for protection against attacks.

Once in service, the systems are expected to enable faster, more efficient treatment of severely wounded soldiers than current capabilities allow.

Germany has also procured a similar fleet of protected medical transport containers developed by Airbus, which are equipped to handle treatment for minor wounds and injuries.

By Nazrin Sadigova