Mercedes-Benz G-Class - Military Operators

Military Operators

Argentina

Since the 1980s, the Argentine Army has used the MB-230G (short and long chassis) for different purposes. 900 remain in service.

Australia

In 2007, Mercedes-Benz won a contract to provide 1,200 G-Class vehicles to the Australian Defence Force to replace the fleet of Land Rover 110s. By 2012, when the vehicles began entering service, this had increased to 2,146 vehicles; a mix of 4×4 cab-chassis and wagons and 6×6 two- and four-door models. Australia is the first military customer to receive 6×6 vehicles, and these are the first six-wheel military vehicles built by Mercedes-Benz since 1941.

Austria

The Austrian Army has been a long time user of various Puch G models.

Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Army operates 600+ vehicles in various configurations, most of them armed.

Canada

A total of 1,159 vehicles have been ordered by the Canadian Army beginning in late 2003. An armoured kit can be fitted (or removed) in 8 hours by three soldiers. Their light armour has been criticised for leading to loss of life in Afghanistan, however it is considerably better than the Iltis predecessor.

Delivery of these vehicles to Reserve units has also begun. They will be deployed in armoured reconnaissance units. It is in the final stages of fully replacing the Iltis in most units as the armoured reconnaissance vehicle in use LFCA. Other units will replace the Iltis with a militarized Chevrolet Silverado known as the MILCOTS (or colloquially as the "Milverado".) For the most exposed missions in Afghanistan 75 RG-31 Nyala built by BAE Land Systems OMC, South Africa, will be used.

Croatia

Croatia bought 300 to 320 vehicles for needs of Croatian army and for operations in Afghanistan additional 30 RG-31 vehicles were delivered. Croatia uses mix of 4×4 vehicles in peacekeepings operations and the G-Class is a very popular choice within the Croatian Army. G-Class is supplemented by Land Rover Wolf and Iveco LMV.

Denmark

The Danish military bought the 240 GD (/24, /28 and /34 variants) to supersede the M151A1, the Volkswagen 181 ("Jagdwagen") and the Land Rover 88. First deliveries of the 240 GD were in 1985 and later the 290 GD (/24 and /28 variants) where also introduced. More than 1.300 have been put in service. A few 300 GE's have also been used — mainly by the Danish army EOD-services. Currently the Danes are taking delivery of over 2.000 270CDIs in several variants, starting in 2003.

Egypt

The Egyptian Army uses the G 320 (4 × 4) armoured personnel carrier has been designed as a private venture by the Kader Factory for Developed Industries and is based on the chassis of the commercial German Mercedes-Benz MB 320G (4 × 4) light vehicle. This vehicle is based on the long-wheelbase version of the German Mercedes-Benz G 320 4 × 4 with the chassis frame being modified by a heavy-duty suspension which has been designed to withstand the additional weight imposed by the armour package.

Estonia

The Estonian Defence Forces have a small number of various G-Class vehicles, which were recently purchased to replace the outdated UAZ and Volkswagen Iltis vehicles.

Finland

The Finnish Army uses the Geländewagen mostly as armored vehicles and ambulances, but other versions are also in service.

France

The French Army has the Peugeot P4 which is a derivative from the G-Class equipped with Peugeot engine and equipment.

Germany

The German Armed Forces uses the G-Class under the name "Wolf". Over 12,000 vehicles have been delivered in over 50 versions, ranging from ambulance vehicles to armored vehicles used by the German special forces. In the 1970s the cheaper Volkswagen Iltis was preferred; now the Iltis is replaced by the "Wolf" and the armoured variant LAPV Enok.

Greece

The Greek Army as well as Air Force, Navy and Police have several versions (462) of the Geländewagen, manufactured by ELBO the Hellenic Vehicles Industry.

Hungary

The Hungarian Ground Forces have 233 of G-270 CDI BA 10, which is mounted with UMF light-machine gun platform, and 5 of G-280 CDI BA6 C+R SSA FB6. More will be purchased between 2010 and 2013.

Indonesia

Paspampres (Indonesian Presidential Security forces) are using G-270 CDI for their fleet with SIRINA lights, Gunner Roof Mount, Bullbar, Black Grill, Roof and Rear View Mirror Handles. New model of G300 CDI in 2010 acquired not less than 30 units for presidential and vice-presidential escort purposes. The Paspampres uses black G300 CDI with the Military Police in white and ensigns with Indonesian MP insignia.

Luxembourg

The Military of Luxembourg uses the 300D variant of the Geländewagen.

Malaysia

Locally build by DEFTECH as G-Wagon, acquired in 2001 in the Malaysian military with an initial batch of 32 G-Wagons mounted with Browning M2 machine guns for a total of 10.8 million Malaysian ringgit with another batch of 34 G-Wagons mounted with AGL weapons for 11.5 million Malaysian ringgit and 18 G-Wagons with ATGM weapons for 6.1 million Malaysian ringgit, and used along with Land Rover Defender as light transport of Malaysian Army.

Mexico

The Mexican naval defense secretary (SEMAR) announced in 2008, a contract to purchase large numbers of Mercedes-Benz military vehicles for the Mexican Marine corps. As of May 16, 2009 The SEMAR has received 20 of the 84 G-Class vehicles in order.

Mongolia

The Ministry of Defense of Mongolia operates 10 G-class vehicles (Wolf) donated by the German Government in 2010.

Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Army uses various versions of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, mostly 461 290GD and 290GD TD models with manual gearbox. The Dutch police and Koninklijke Marechaussee also use the G-Class. Most of the police versions are armored 463 models.

North Korea

The Korean People's Army appears to have acquired G-class vehicles, some of which were seen on the Korean Worker's Party 65th anniversary military parade. At the funeral of Kim Jong-il his hearse was flanked by G-Class vehicles.

Norway

The Norwegian Army bought 240 GD to replace Volvo and Land Rover 4×4 vehicles in the mid-1980s, and 300 GD to use as ambulances. The 300GD is also used to transport the launch control station and optical sensors for the NASAMS Air-defense system. During the 90's 290 GD's where bought, and in the first half of the 00's a small number of armoured 270 CDI's were put into service. Today the Defence Forces operates a total of 3000 vehicles. Should Norway get invaded, the Norwegian army has a right to requisition all civilian G-class vehicles for use in national defense. The escort company of the Norwegian Royal Guard employs a black G500 AMG with police lights on the roof.

Poland

96 GD 290 and 25 MB290GD WD in service with Polish Army. 13 GD 290 in service with the Military Police

Portugal

The Portuguese Military uses the G-class for light transport along with Toyota Landcruiser, UMM Alter and Land Rover Defender 90.

Russia

Police, state security units, military and governmental agencies are using the G-Class. Mostly civilian versions in black. Security escort vehicles for both the President and Prime Minister are black G-500 and G55 AMG.

Serbia

The Serbian Military currently uses Puch 300GD model. They also uses the following models in 300GD33, 300GD6 and 300GD10 variants, for transport of VIP persons in 300GD3-LUX and 300GD6-LUX and Special Forces Brigade is use modified version designed for access to combat zone.

Singapore

The Singapore Army bought the 270 and 290 versions as secondary military transport. It is used in soft-top truck configuration and is known as a 1.5-tonner or simply "MB" to its users. And also some were used also for patrolling in a "jeep" form. The Army also deploys the extremely short-wheelbase, soft-top version for its Colonels, Battalion COs, Brigade and Division Commanders as personal field transports.

Slovenia

The Military of Slovenia uses Mercedes-Benz G-Class vehicles mainly for transport.

Slovakia

The Armed Forces of Slovak republic uses Mercedes Benz G-280 CDI in 5th Special Forces Regiment.

Sweden

The Swedish Army uses MB 290/T (1994)MB 290GD (2000)MB 270 CDI(2005) The GW is to be the main light terrain vehicle in the Swedish armed forces in the future. In 2011 a framework agreement was signed between FMV and Daimler AG. An initial contract for 105 300 CDI was signed. .

Switzerland

The Swiss Army uses the 230 with soft top as the primary general purpose carrier, and a hardtop version as mobile radio access point. It is in service since 1985 and gradually replaced Willys Jeeps, Haflinger light transports and Pinzgauer medium transports in the liaison and transport role. All versions in Swiss Army use are unarmed.

United Kingdom

The British Army used a number of these vehicles in Iraq during operation Telic, particularly around the Baghdad and Rustamiyah areas.The British Commanders'-in-Chief Mission to the Soviet Forces in Germany (BRIXMIS) also used a small number.

Ukraine

Police, state security units, military and governmental agencies are using the G-Class. Mostly civilian versions in black. Security escort vehicles for both the President and Prime Minister are black G-500 and G55 AMG.

United States

The USMC Interim Fast Attack Vehicle (IFAV) is a modified version of the Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen 290. It replaces the modified M-151A2¼ ton truck (MUTT jeep) used by the Marines as an FAV in the 1990s. The U.S. Marine Corps acquired 157 of the IFAVs distributed as follows:

• (I) Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Camp Pendleton, CA (33);
• (II) MEF Camp Lejeune, NC (25);
• (III) MEF on Okinawa, Japan (27);
• (IV) 17 Force Recon, Afghanistan (22);
• (V) 3 Force Recon Bn, Iraq (23);
• (VI) 1st Provisional DMZ Police Company, Korea (15); and
• (VII) various miscellaneous (12)

Vatican City

The government of the Vatican City owned two converted Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which are known as the "Popemobile". One is on display at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart, Germany.