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M3 Amphibious Rig
Amphibious bridging vehicle From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The M3 Amphibious Rig is a self-propelled, amphibious bridging vehicle and ferrying vehicle that is used for the transportation of tanks and other vehicles across water obstacles.
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Development and service
M3
Originally developed by the German firm Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern[1] (EWK, since 2002 acquired by General Dynamics European Land Systems), it succeeded the conceptually similar M2 made by the same company. Like its predecessor, the M3 traverses roads on its four wheels, deploying two large aluminium pontoons for buoyancy on water.
The M3 is 1.4 metres (4.6 ft) longer and 3,300 kg (7,300 lb) heavier than the M2, with the M3 having a turn diameter of 24 metres (79 ft).[4]
Development of the M3 began in 1982, with the final prototype being delivered 10 years later in 1992.[2] A first order of 64 serial vehicles was made in 1994,[2] and it entered service with the German and British armies[1] in 1996. Since then, the M3 has also been adopted by several NATO and allied nations.
M3 EVO
The German Army selected the M3 EVO as part of the Schwimmschnellbrücke 2 (SSB 2) programme to replace the M3 in service. The development starts in 2025, the Critical Design Review is scheduled for March 2027. The prototype is expected for 2029, and the serial production to start in 2029, with the final delivery for Germany in 2036.[5]
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Operating concept
The M3 is self-deployable by road, operating as a 4x4 wheeled vehicle with a maximum road speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). For amphibious operation, two large aluminium pontoons are deployed, unfolding them along the length of its hull. The crew exits the vehicle cab to maneuver the pontoon using controls located on top of the hull. In water, the M3 is propelled at speeds of up to 14 km/h (8.7 mph) by two pump jets that can be steered in 360-degrees.[3]
Multiple rigs can be joined together using long ramps, three of which are carried on each vehicle, to form a bridge or a ferry that can be used to cross a water obstacle. Eight M3 Rigs can be used to create a 100-metre-long (330 ft) bridge which can be traversed by vehicles up to and including the heaviest 60-tonne (130,000 lb) main battle tank like the Leopard 2A6 and Challenger 2.[4] Alternatively, just two M3 Rigs may be joined to create a ferry capable of carrying a similar load across much wider water gaps.
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Combat history
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Operation Telic
The M3 Amphibious Bridging Vehicle saw its first combat actions in Operation Telic, Britain's military operations in the Iraq War (until withdrawal in 2011). From 25 March 2003, 23 Amphibious Engineer Squadron, of 28 Engineer Regiment of the Royal Engineers ferried elements of 3 Commando Brigade across the Shatt Al-Basrah waterway,[6] enabling their continued advance on the Iraqi city of Basra.[7] A subsequent riverine crossing at the Rumaila oil fields was also undertaken by the M3. This action transported three AS90 self-propelled howitzers in support of 16 Air Assault Brigade of the British Army.[6]
Operators
Current operators
M3 system
Germany (30) and 
United Kingdom (10)- Germany and the UK both ordered a batch of 64 M3 in 1994.[8]
- Both the British Army and the German Army operate together 40 M3 systems in the German-British Engineer Bridge Battalion 130 in Minden.[9][10]
Indonesia (18)- Indonesian Army: 18 ordered in 2016, confirmed in 2017, the first were received in 2020.[11][12]
Latvia (4)- Latvian Army: ordered in 2021 through a US funding (USD $22 million), it entered service in 2025.[13][14][15][16]
Singapore- Singapore Army: the M3G entered service in 2007, the quantity hasn't been unveiled.[17]
South Korea (110)- South Korean Army: ordered in 2021, the deliveries started in 2024, to continue until 2027. It's produced under licence by Hanwha defence.[18][19]
Sweden (34)- Swedish Army: it is known in Sweden as the "Amfibiebro 400".
- Orders:
- Deliveries:
Taiwan- Republic of China Army: the M3G is in service in the armed forces, but the quantity is unknown.[26]
Ukraine (6)- The Netherlands supplied 6 M3 systems.[27] This aid was announced in March 2023.[28][29]
Future operators
M3 system
Denmark- Royal Danish Army: ordered by the DALO in September 2025, to enter service in 2028.[30][31]
Spain- Spanish Army: ordered in May 2025, with deliveries from 2026 to 2029. The budget approved is of €85 million.[32]
M3 EVO
- Germany (66)
- German Army: selected in 2025, prototype in 2029, serial production planned for mid-2031 - 2036.[9][33]
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See also
- M104 Wolverine
- M60 AVLB
- M1074 Joint Assault Bridge
- SAMUR Assault Bridge (TUR)
References
External links
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