Swedish Army to upgrade part of its legacy Floating Support Bridge

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the production and delivery of its Improved Ribbon Bridge (IRB).

After recent successful summer and winter trials, the Swedish Army will upgrade part of its legacy Floating Support Bridge (FSB), delivered previously by GDELS-Germany, with the IRB to meet the new requirements of its vehicle fleet.
Delivery of the first systems is scheduled for 2020.

“We are honoured by this contract award as it reflects the high confidence and satisfaction of the Swedish Army in the performance of our product,” Dr. Thomas Kauffmann, Vice President International Business & Services of GDELS, said. “We have supported the Swedish Armed Forces for more than two decades and look forward to continuing this support in the future.” 

The IRB can be operated as a multi-bay ferry as well as a floating bridge. It provides wide wet gap crossing capability for loads up to MLC80 Tracked / 96 Wheeled, including the Swedish LEOPARD 2 Main Battle Tank. The IRB bridge bays will be transported on and launched from an existing and modernised multipurpose truck.