A May 26, 2011 report said Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks had contracted to supply the German Armed Forces with protected Actros heavy recovery vehicles for troops in Afghanistan. It identified the truck as the Actros 4151 AK 8×8 and said delivery was expected seven months after the contract award. The report did not disclose the order quantity or confirm when delivery was completed.
What was reported about the 2011 contract?
The May 26, 2011 account said Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks had signed a contract to deliver protected heavy recovery vehicles for immediate use by German troops in Afghanistan. It described the vehicles as matching the configuration and protection of Actros trucks used by the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan since March 2008. These details come from contemporaneous secondary reports, not an accessible official contract announcement: the contract report and the vehicle description.
The reported contract-to-delivery lead time was seven months. The accessible account gives neither the number ordered nor a delivery-completion date, so it cannot establish how many were ultimately supplied or when they entered service.
What were the reported Actros 4151 AK 8×8 specifications?
The 2011 vehicle description names the platform as the Mercedes-Benz Actros 4151 AK 8×8. Its figures should be read as specifications reported in that article; they were not independently validated against a manufacturer technical sheet or an official contract release.
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| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | OM 502 LA V8; 375 kW (510 hp) |
| Dimensions | 10,530 mm long, 2,800 mm wide, 3,400 mm high |
| Weight | 33,500 kg |
| Ballistic protection | Level 4 |
| Mine protection | Level 4b under STANAG 4569 |
The protection levels are claims in the 2011 vehicle report, not a separate verification of the standard or a description that can automatically be applied to every Actros or later Bundeswehr recovery truck.
What recovery and lifting equipment did it carry?
The reported equipment comprised an EMPL wrecker body, three Rotzler winches and a Hiab front crane. The article gave the following capacities:
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| Equipment | Reported capacity |
|---|---|
| Three Rotzler winches | 25-tonne maximum tractive force; 100 m cable length |
| Hiab front crane | 7,500 kg lift at 2.60 m |
| EMPL wrecker arm | 16-tonne lifting capacity |
The same account contains a wrecker-capacity figure while driving but omits its unit in the accessible text. It is therefore not a complete usable specification and is not reproduced here.
Is this vehicle the Bundeswehr Bison?
They are related in role and timing, but the available accounts do not establish that the 2011 Actros contract and the Bundeswehr Bison are the same procurement. The Bundeswehr’s Bison profile identifies Bison as a protected Mercedes-Benz recovery vehicle introduced in 2011, used to recover and tow heavy wheeled vehicles. It places the vehicle between lighter recovery trucks and armoured recovery vehicles.
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The Bundeswehr profile lists the Bison’s V8 diesel at 503 PS, empty weight at 36 tonnes, permitted gross mass at 48 tonnes, payload at 16 tonnes, dimensions of 10.8 m by 2.84 m by 3.49 m, and maximum speed of 85 km/h. Its narrative also refers once to 35 tonnes of own weight; the technical table gives 36 tonnes. Those figures belong to the Bundeswehr’s Bison profile, not the 2011 Actros contract report.
What replaced the Bison?
A Bundeswehr field report from August 2, 2022 calls the Geschütztes Berge-/Kranfahrzeug (protected recovery/crane vehicle) the Bison’s successor. It said 33 had been procured by the time of that report and described trials in Gao, Mali, involving container handling and recovery and towing. The report said the crane could lift nearly 23 tonnes and could be controlled from a protected cab or by wireless remote: Bundeswehr report on the trials.
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- MERCEDES-BENZ OFFICIALLY LICENSED MODEL: This Mercedes-Benz Actros R5 diecast model is an officially licensed product, ensuring authentic branding and accurate representation of the original vehicle. It reproduces the 2021 Actros R5 from the Italian Collection in black, reflecting its modern truck design, aerodynamic cab styling, and distinctive features that define Mercedes-Benz’s long-haul transport lineup.
- FEATURES & DETAILS: This 1:24 scale model measures approximately 10 inches in length, accurately capturing the proportions of the Mercedes-Benz Actros R5. It features a detailed cab exterior with realistic grille, headlights, mirrors, wheels, and interior elements visible through clear windows. This model is a static display piece with no opening parts and does not include a display base, making it suitable for shelf or cabinet presentation.
- TOP QUALITY MATERIALS: Constructed from high-quality diecast metal with precision-molded plastic components, this model ensures durability and refined detailing. The black finish is applied with a smooth, consistent coating that enhances its clean appearance, while carefully executed trim and cab details contribute to a realistic look. Built for long-term display, it maintains both its structural integrity and detailed appearance over time.
- COLLECTIBLE DISPLAY ITEM: Designed for collectors aged 14 and above, this model is a premium display piece featuring accurate Mercedes-Benz Actros R5 styling. Its officially licensed design and Italian Collection configuration make it a distinctive addition to any commercial vehicle or diecast collection. Ideal for display on shelves, desks, or in cabinets, it also makes a thoughtful gift for truck and transport enthusiasts.
The Bundeswehr’s equipment profile for this newer vehicle lists a 60% gradient, a 40 t unbraked towing load and a maximum lifting capacity of 22.8 t. It says the crane and recovery equipment can be operated from the protected upper cab or by remote control. These are later Geschütztes Berge-/Kranfahrzeug figures, not specifications for the 2011 Actros.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How should the three vehicles be distinguished?
| Vehicle or account | What the cited source establishes | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Actros 4151 AK 8×8, 2011 report | Reported contract for protected heavy recovery vehicles for Afghanistan; order quantity not stated | Contemporaneous procurement account; reported protection and equipment details are secondary-source claims |
| Bison, Bundeswehr profile | Protected Mercedes-Benz recovery vehicle introduced in 2011 | Official Bundeswehr profile with its own technical figures |
| Geschütztes Berge-/Kranfahrzeug, 2020–2022 Bundeswehr material | Identified as the Bison successor; 2022 report said 33 procured by then | Newer recovery-and-crane vehicle; its capacities must not be attributed to the earlier Actros |
Shared manufacturer, overlapping dates and similar recovery roles are not enough to treat these as one vehicle designation or one contract.
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