On Thursday, March 12, 2026, the German group Rheinmetall AG announced that it had signed a cooperation agreement with the Dutch manufacturer of trailers and low-loader transport systems, Nooteboom Trailers B.V., regarding the development and sale of transport solutions for heavy military vehicles (Heavy Equipment Trailer, HET). The cooperation covers the joint development, industrialization, and marketing of these systems.
EURO Low Loader low-bed trailer system operated by the Royal Netherlands Army / Photo: Nooteboom Trailers B.V.
The partnership is a response to the rapidly growing demand for transport solutions for armed forces to move heavy equipment across Europe. This increase is driven by the expanding operational use of heavy wheeled and tracked vehicles, as well as extensive NATO procurement programs for tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and self-propelled howitzers. The cooperation will strengthen the position of both companies in the field of military mobility, contributing to greater resilience and competitiveness of the European defense industry.
A key strength of the partnership lies in the complementary capabilities of the partners. Nooteboom Trailers B.V. is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of specialized civilian transport solutions. The company has many years of experience in the design, production, and maintenance of specialized trailers with payload capacities of up to 200 metric tons and enjoys an excellent reputation among logistics specialists and heavy transport operators.
Rheinmetall will contribute its proven expertise in military vehicle production, efficient manufacturing capacity, and access to international markets as part of a leading global defense group. Through cooperation with Rheinmetall AG, Nooteboom will accelerate the development of advanced technologies and specialized know-how in transport solutions, laying the groundwork for more innovative systems in both military and civilian transport.
The joint solution will combine highly mobile tractor units from RMMV (Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles) with appropriate trailer systems, enabling Rheinmetall to deliver comprehensive, vertically integrated HET-class solutions. The integrated HET system is intended for transporting heavy tracked and wheeled vehicles, including recovery vehicles and armored engineering vehicles.
Nooteboom Trailers B.V. is an international family-owned company specializing in comprehensive solutions for oversized transport. Founded in 1881 and headquartered in Wijchen in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the company is now managed by the fifth generation. Employing more than 500 people, with two production facilities and an extensive in-house sales network across Europe, Nooteboom holds a strong international position. Through continuous investment in innovation, the company holds numerous patents for breakthrough technologies that set industry standards in safety, efficiency, and reliability in heavy transport.
Strategic #cooperation: #Rheinmetall and Nooteboom Trailers B.V. mutually develop and market #military #heavyequipment #trailers https://t.co/eDRp0HadSk pic.twitter.com/e2C7jf3Wt1
— Rheinmetall (@RheinmetallAG) March 12, 2026