Germany receives upgraded Wielsel 1 armored vehicles with MELLS anti-tank systems

The Bundeswehr received modernized armored vehicles Wielsel 1. They are equipped with MELLS launchers.

Here's What We Know

The MELLS anti-tank missile system is a German licensed copy of the Israeli Spike LR launchers. The maximum launch range is 4 km. It replaces the TOW and MILAN anti-tank systems.

Wielsel 1 is an armored fighting vehicle produced by German company Rheinmetall. It is based on a tracked chassis and has a mass of 3,300 kg.

The Wiesel 1 was modernized by Flensburger Fahrzeugbau Gesellschaft mbH, which signed a contract with the German Armed Forces back in 2019. The modernization of the combat vehicle lasted longer than planned because of the large dimensions of the MELLS launcher.

Source: Bundeswehr