Paris has awarded Soframe a contract to supply Heavy Recovery Vehicles to the French Army, a move aimed at enhancing battlefield support capabilities.
The deal is part of a competitive process launched in spring of 2025 to address a growing need for modern recovery platforms within the force’s combat units.
The military trucks will support damaged or immobilized equipment once deployed, improving operational resilience by enabling faster retrieval and return to service during fast-paced operations.
Under the framework agreement, Soframe will deliver an initial batch of 20 vehicles, with five scheduled for delivery by 2027.
The contract includes options for the order of up to 80 platforms, giving the French Army the flexibility to scale the fleet as operational needs evolve.
International Collaborations
According to the company, the vehicles draw on the 8×8 Protected Recovery Vehicle design already fielded by the Belgian Armed Forces, reflecting increasing defense cooperation and interoperability between France and Belgium.
The initiative also involves several European industrial partners, including Jigé International, FN Herstal, and Daimler Trucks, highlighting a multinational approach to defense production.
Specifications
Soframe’s Heavy Recovery Vehicle is expected to measure 10 meters (33 feet) long and could possibly have a protective chassis against mines, ballistics, and improvised explosive devices.
It will have an automatic transmission with a 476-horsepower engine for a top speed of 90 kilometers (56 miles) per hour and a range of 800 kilometers (497 miles).
The platform will be operated by a crew of three, and incorporate a main and self-recovery winch with cable lengths varying from 60 to 80 meters (197 to 262 feet), as well as an underlift capacity of 10 to 14 tons (22,046 to 30,865 pounds).
