The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has selected Soframe to deliver Heavy Recovery Vehicles to the French Army as part of an effort to enhance combat service support and equipment recovery capabilities. The acquisition aims to ensure faster retrieval and repair of damaged vehicles during high-tempo military operations.
The contract stems from a competitive procurement process initiated in early 2025 to replace aging recovery platforms and improve support for deployed combat units. Soframe will deliver an initial tranche of 20 vehicles, with five units expected to enter service by 2027. The framework agreement allows for the potential procurement of up to 80 vehicles, providing scalability as operational needs increase.
According to Soframe, the Heavy Recovery Vehicle is derived from the 8×8 protected recovery platform already fielded by Belgium’s armed forces, promoting cross-border interoperability and shared logistics. The program brings together multiple European defense and industrial partners, including Jigé International, FN Herstal, and Daimler Trucks, highlighting Europe’s collaborative defense manufacturing strategy.
The vehicle is expected to feature a reinforced chassis with protection against mines, ballistic threats, and improvised explosive devices. Measuring around 10 meters in length, it will be powered by a 476-horsepower engine paired with an automatic transmission, enabling a top speed of 90 kilometers per hour and an operational range of approximately 800 kilometers. Designed for a three-person crew, the platform will be equipped with primary and self-recovery winches and an underlift system capable of lifting between 10 and 14 tons.
