Netherlands orders General Dynamics floating bridges
The Royal Netherlands Army is to join Australia, Germany, Sweden and US as an operator of the Improved Ribbon Bridge. (Photo: General Dynamics)
General Dynamics European Land Systems has received an order from the Royal Netherlands Army for three Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) floating bridge systems.
The Royal Netherlands Army has ordered three Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) systems from General Dynamics European Land Systems under a deal signed on 20 July. The order comprises bridge sections with a total length of over 225m together with support boats manufactured by Birdon USA.
The new systems will replace older pontoon bridges beginning in 2025, providing the Dutch Engineer Corps with a capability in accordance with modern military standards.
All NATO vehicles can cross the system and, due to using the same connectors, pontoons are fully interoperable with those of other nations including the USA, Brazil, Germany and Sweden. Bridge sections can easily be combined during operations while increasing speed of movement and military mobility.
Related Articles
GDELS receives Aussie bridge order
GDELS to supply IRB to Brazilian Army
Sweden orders interoperable bridging equipment
The IRB system is also connectable through a coupling device with the widely used amphibious bridge system M3, operated by Germany, the UK, Latvia and Sweden, with the latter having recently ordered an additional number of M3 units.
The IRB can be operated as a multi-bay ferry as well as a floating bridge. It provides wide wet gap crossing capability for loads up to MLC80 tracked/96 wheeled, including the Leopard 2 main battle tank.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion]()
Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion
There continues to be an insatiable desire for air-defence and air-launched missiles and systems in the US and worldwide. Lockheed Martin’s latest deals reinforce the demand and highlight the supply chain challenge for manufacturing solid rocket motors.
-
![Bahrain approved for $500 million HIMARS order as production surges]()
Bahrain approved for $500 million HIMARS order as production surges
Lockheed Martin’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is being widely ordered and deployed. The company has been working to ramp up production while continuing work to design and produce more potent missiles.
-
![Kongsberg Defence Australia cashes in with government support for exports]()
Kongsberg Defence Australia cashes in with government support for exports
Kongsberg Defence Australia is building on the supply of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) systems to Australia to win exports with the support of the government through its Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise and Global Supply Chain Program.
-
![Milrem THeMIS robot tests weapon firing to beyond one kilometre]()
Milrem THeMIS robot tests weapon firing to beyond one kilometre
The Milrem Robotics Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) has seen extensive service in Ukraine with an additional six ordered for Ukraine in May.
-
![JLTV A2 cleared for first export as AM General awaits US Army plans]()
JLTV A2 cleared for first export as AM General awaits US Army plans
The AM General’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 is in low-rate initial production (LRIP) as testing of first vehicles continues. Canada is set to become the first export customer and the likely order will mark an important step for the company as it awaits the outcome of the US Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) which has argued for cuts to JLTV.
