M3 Amphibious Bridge/Ferry and Additional Improved Ribbon Bridge Systems

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) announced on 29 June that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted the company to deliver M3 amphibious bridge and ferry systems for the Swedish Army and additional bays for the Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB) system, already in Swedish service.

“Sweden will 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 higher degree of automation”, commented Dr Christian Kauth, Managing Director of GDELS Bridge Systems.

The M3 is fully interoperable with the IRB through a coupling device that enables both bridge and ferry functions. Both systems are in service worldwide supporting many operations, including peacekeeping and disaster relief. Sweden joins a growing M3 user community comprising multiple international customers in Europe and Asia. Both the M3 and IRB can carry all NATO vehicles and can construct a 100m floating bridge within 10 minutes (30 minutes for the IRB).

“This contract award emphasises the significance of interoperability of two different floating
bridges of the Swedish armed forces, but also towards and among its military allies,” observed Dr Thomas Kauffmann, GDELS’ VP of International Business and Services. “This unique interoperability feature is solely offered by GDELS – Bridge Systems and is an important requisite of military mobility for national, allied and multinational forces such as NATO.”