The Bundeswehr has officially confirmed the purchase of 1,500 Wolf 2 off-road vehicles from Mercedes-Benz, with an option to expand the fleet by up to 4,300 more under an existing framework agreement. This acquisition introduces the Bundeswehr’s first mass-produced vehicle designed to integrate the Digitisation of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) system, marking a significant step in modernizing tactical mobility and networked communications. The order not only replaces aging Wolf vehicles but also strengthens Germany’s NATO readiness, highlighting its operational and strategic importance.
Based on the military-configured Mercedes-Benz G-Class 464 series, the Wolf 2 is larger and more capable than its predecessor—200 mm longer, 100 mm wider, and 220 mm taller—offering improved interior space and off-road performance. It is powered by a Euro 3-compliant 183 kW (249 hp) engine producing 600 Nm of torque via automatic transmission, and can run on both NATO-standard and lower-grade fuels. The vehicle can carry up to 1.2 tons of payload with a gross weight of 4.5 tons, with variants including command, military police, and troop transport configurations.
Testing began in November 2024 at the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 41 in Trier, covering 16,000 km of varied terrain, climatic conditions from −34°C to +49°C, and air and rail transport trials. Electromagnetic compatibility assessments were conducted at Military Technical Center 81 in Greding. These procedures mirror NATO validation processes for light utility vehicles, ensuring operational reliability before full deployment.
The Wolf 2’s D-LBO-ready design offers a clear advantage for networked operations, improving mobility, payload flexibility, and integration readiness compared to contemporary light military vehicles. Installing digital systems post-production ensures modularity and reduces delays, aligning with NATO trends in battlefield digitization. Strategically, the Wolf 2 enhances Germany’s rapid deployment forces and homeland security operations while supporting industrial resilience through domestic production.
The framework contract signed in July 2024 allows up to 5,800 vehicles, with 1,500 units ordered in the first phase and production expected to reach 30 vehicles per week by April 2026. With operational deliveries planned from 2026, the Wolf 2 represents a generational and structural upgrade for the Bundeswehr, combining improved off-road capability, increased payload, and digital readiness to maintain agile and networked ground forces in modern land warfare.
