The French government has selected Soframe to deliver a new generation of Heavy Recovery Vehicles for the French Army, aimed at improving combat support and equipment recovery on the battlefield.
The award stems from a competitive procurement process initiated in spring 2025 to address a growing shortfall in modern recovery assets across the Army’s combat formations. The vehicles will enable faster recovery of damaged or immobilized equipment, helping sustain operational momentum during intensive military operations.
Under a framework contract, Soframe will supply an initial batch of 20 vehicles, with five units expected to be delivered by 2027. The agreement includes options to procure up to 80 additional vehicles, providing flexibility to adjust fleet size as mission requirements evolve.
Soframe has stated that the design draws heavily from the 8×8 Protected Recovery Vehicle currently operated by the Belgian Armed Forces, highlighting closer industrial and operational cooperation between France and Belgium. The program brings together several European partners—Jigé International, FN Herstal, and Daimler Trucks—demonstrating a collaborative, multinational defense manufacturing effort.
The Heavy Recovery Vehicle is projected to measure roughly 10 meters in length and could feature armored protection against mines, ballistic threats, and improvised explosive devices. It will be powered by a 476-horsepower engine paired with an automatic transmission, offering a maximum speed of 90 km/h and an operational range of up to 800 km.
Operated by a crew of three, the vehicle will be fitted with main and auxiliary recovery winches with cable lengths of 60 to 80 meters, along with an underlift capacity ranging from 10 to 14 tons.
