Germany and UK sign €450m+ OCCAR deal for next-gen M3 amphibious bridging vehicles
BERLIN/LONDON – November 2, 2025: Germany and the UK have signed a contract worth more than €450m ($520m) with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) to jointly procure the latest M3 amphibious bridging and ferry vehicles from General Dynamics European Land Systems-Bridge Systems (GDELS-Bridge Systems). The acquisition supports the Wide Wet Gap Crossing Program (WWGC), aimed at rapidly improving NATO forces’ mobility across major water obstacles in combat and disaster response scenarios.
Joint procurement under OCCAR
The OCCAR-facilitated agreement covers the purchase of new M3 platforms from GDELS-Bridge Systems, based in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The contract will replace the British Army’s 30-year-old M3 Amphibious Rigs with modern M3 EVO systems, enhancing operational flexibility and resilience for combined UK-German engineer units.
Under the WWGC program, the M3 vehicles will support fast, modular bridging and ferry operations to move troops and heavy equipment-including main battle tanks and artillery-across wide rivers and other water obstacles. The M3 can operate as a floating bridge or as a ferry, enabling high-capacity crossings for NATO-standard platforms.
Upgrades and capability enhancements
The latest iteration, referred to as the M3S (Sweden M3), introduces:
- Improved human-machine interface for operator efficiency
- Enhanced reliability and increased system safety
- Optimised lifecycle support costs
These upgrades aim to deliver faster deployment and adaptable movement over difficult terrain, supporting both military operations and civil emergency missions.
Procurement details and timeline
The UK’s share of the OCCAR-led deal is £200m ($262m) for 36 amphibious bridging vehicles. According to program plans, the new equipment is scheduled to enter service in the early 2030s and will be operated by the British Army Royal Engineers within the joint UK-German Amphibious Engineer Battalion based in Minden, Germany.
Official statement
GDELS vice president and chief sales officer Dr. Thomas Kauffmann said: “The new M3 will provide Germany and the UK with much anticipated, state-of-the-art floating-bridge capabilities enabling unhindered manoeuvrability for all NATO vehicles. More than 90% of all NATO amphibious bridging capabilities are supplied by GDELS.”
Related UK-Germany bridge cooperation
In a separate but related move, Germany will acquire the UK’s General Support Bridge (GSB) system. The GSB can be assembled in under 90 minutes and is compatible with all NATO tanks, including the British Army’s future Challenger 3. The system is manufactured by KNDS UK at its Stockport facility, strengthening transnational industrial links within NATO’s land mobility domain.
Industrial footprint and production expansion
To support rising demand, Bridge Systems, a subsidiary of GDELS, revealed plans in September 2025 to invest more than €20m ($23m) to expand production sites in Kaiserslautern and Sembach, Germany. The expansion includes doubling production capacity for the M3 at the Kaiserslautern headquarters, aligning industry output with upcoming UK and German deliveries under the WWGC framework.
Why it matters for NATO mobility
- Enhanced wet-gap crossing capability: The M3 EVO/M3S boosts rapid bridging and ferrying for heavy armor and logistics.
- Interoperability: Systems are designed for NATO-standard tanks and vehicles, supporting multinational operations.
- Dual-use utility: Platforms can deploy in disaster response, enabling emergency crossings and humanitarian access.
- Lifecycle efficiencies: Upgraded interfaces and safety features aim to lower support costs and increase availability.
Program context
The WWGC program focuses on delivering flexible, quickly deployable bridging solutions to overcome wide water gaps-an enduring operational challenge in Europe’s riverine environments. By modernizing legacy fleets and integrating new capabilities through OCCAR, Germany and the UK seek to ensure sustained maneuverability for allied forces across the continent.
Conclusion
With the OCCAR contract now in place and industrial expansion underway, Germany and the UK are set to field next-generation M3 amphibious bridging vehicles in the early 2030s. The procurement, paired with Germany’s acquisition of the UK-built GSB, underscores a broader push to reinforce NATO mobility, interoperability, and rapid response across challenging terrain and critical waterways.
