German Army's Kodiak Engineer Vehicle Enters Trials Without Natter RWS

Germany has begun qualification trials of its Kodiak armored engineer vehicle with the first two test vehicles delivered without the planned Natter remote weapon station. Rheinmetall handed over the vehicles in late August 2026 under a May 2021 contract worth approximately €295 million for 44 vehicles built on Bundeswehr Leopard 2A4 hulls. The procurement agency confirmed the missing weapon stations but withheld the reasons and any alternative arrangements because negotiations remain underway. Qualification vehicles were originally expected in 2023 or 2024, leaving the program roughly three years behind its initial schedule.