Germany and UK Unveil 80-Ton Floating Bridge to Turbocharge NATO Mobility

Germany and the United Kingdom have jointly contracted General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) to develop and produce a new generation of floating bridges for rapid frontline deployment, replacing older models and enhancing NATO mobility, according to Defense News on October 31.

The IRB project is a collaborative effort between Berlin and London aimed at strengthening European military mobility and readiness in response to the changing security environment.

Both nations signed an agreement for the joint acquisition in 2023, and the production phase is now set to begin at GDELS facilities in Germany and Spain.

The bridges are expected to be compatible with existing NATO engineering equipment and vehicles, allowing for interoperability among allied forces.

GDELS stated that the IRB system will feature improved load-bearing capacity, enhanced modular design, and faster deployment time compared to legacy systems currently in service.

The company noted that the system can support tracked and wheeled vehicles up to 80 tons, ensuring it can accommodate new-generation main battle tanks such as the Leopard 2 and Challenger 3.

Earlier, it was reported that British-supplied Challenger 2 tanks remain in Ukrainian service and have proven accurate and resilient in combat, with crews describing successful long-range engagements and highlighting better protection and visibility compared to Soviet-era vehicles.

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