General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has announced that it has been contracted by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to deliver M3 amphibious bridge and ferry systems to the Swedish Army. GDELS will provide additional bays of the Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) system, which is already in service in Sweden, the company writes in a press release.
Sweden will reportedly receive the newest version of the M3, which is specifically designed for operations under Arctic conditions and only requires a crew of two soldiers due to a high degree of automation. According to the company, the M3 is fully interoperable with the IRB through a coupling device that enables both bridge and ferry functions. Both the M3 amphibious bridge and ferry system as well as the IRB floating bridge can carry all NATO vehicles and can build a 100m (330 ft.) floating bridge within 10 minutes for the M3 and within 30 minutes for the IRB.
The M3 and IRB are in global service in support of a variety of operations including peacekeeping and disaster relief.
JH
