JERUSALEM — Flensburg Technology Systems (FTS) — a joint venture between German company Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH (FFG) and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) — and the German Special Forces Command (KSK) have unveiled a new light airborne combat vehicle in Germany, just one year after signing a framework agreement.
Dubbed TAHR, the vehicle “features an open, integrated concept that provides operators with a clear view of their immediate surroundings from within the vehicle, while also allowing for the integration of various weapon systems,” according to an announcement posted Tuesday by the companies.
“Unveiling of the first pre-series vehicle is taking place ahead of schedule and demonstrates the focused and results-oriented collaboration between the German-Israeli joint venture FTS and the end user, the German Special Forces Command,” the statement noted.
Under the framework agreement signed between the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and FTS in 2025, 200 of the vehicles will be delivered, though the statement did not specify by when. Two TAHR vehicles can fit on a Chinook, according to FTS.
“Immediately after landing and exiting the aircraft, full combat readiness can be achieved within a very short timeframe, a fundamental requirement of the KSK,” FTS noted.
Brig. Gen. Andreas Kühne, commander of Germany’s special forces command, added that the TAHR can also be dropped from the air.
“The KSK’s mission is to successfully conduct special forces operations worldwide and under all conditions,” he said. “To do this, the KSK requires not only high mobility but also a variety of suitable modes of transport depending on the situation, mission, and terrain.”
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FTS says the vehicle comes in two variants, a “light airborne combat vehicle and the light airborne support vehicle — both variants are based on a highly mobile, all-terrain platform that is already combat proven and in service, which was rapidly adapted to meet the KSK’s mission-specific requirements.” The statement adds that the vehicle can also integrate different weapon systems.
Growing Ties Between Jerusalem And Berlin
Tuesday’s unveiling of the TAHR vehicle represents the latest collaboration between Germany and Israel.
In a company statement, IAI CEO Guy Bar Lev said, “IAI views Germany as a strategic partner in developing joint defense capabilities over the long term. Our cooperation spans multiple domains, from air and maritime to land, and is grounded in the combination of technology, expertise, and industrial capabilities on both sides.
“We are committed to further deepening this cooperation and jointly developing solutions to address the evolving security challenges of the years ahead,” he continued.
Earlier this month IAI said that the German Navy had completed a successful test of IAI’s naval Lora missile. Germany is also acquiring IAI’s Arrow air defense system in a $6.5 billion deal.
Other Israeli defense giants are also active in Germany. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems recently entered into an agreement in Lower Saxony to transform the Volkswagen site in Osnabrück into a center for air defense systems production.
Rafael has also integrated its EuroTrophy active protection system onto Germany’s Leopard tanks. Israel’s Elbit Systems has partnered with Diehl Defense to pitch its SkyStriker Loitering munition in Germany.
Sales go the other way as well. Israel acquired its new Dolphin-class submarines and Sa’ar 6 corvettes from German naval shipyards.