The Yak Armoured Multi-Role Vehicle was originally developed as a private venture by Rheinmetall Landsysteme, which has considerable experience in the design, development and production of wheeled armoured vehicles.

Yak is based on the latest generation Swiss MOWAG DURO (6 × 6) chassis that is a further development of the earlier DURO chassis, of which over 3,500 have been built in unarmoured 6 × 6 and 4 × 4 configurations for the home (Swiss) and export markets.

Rheinmetall Landsysteme builds the armoured cab, which is then sent to MOWAG in Switzerland who integrate the cab with its chassis. The latter is then sent to Kassel where Rheinmetall Landsysteme integrate the rear specialised armoured body or mission module and then deliver the complete vehicle to the Germany Army.

Under the original contracts a total of 30 Yak were supplied including ambulance (12), Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) (10), military police (4) and support vehicles for the LUNA unmanned aerial vehicle (4). The last vehicles to be delivered were the EOD models.

These were ordered by the BWB under an urgent operational requirement (UOR) contract that aims to field equipment much sooner than a conventional acquisition process. Final deliveries were made late in 2005.

Some of these Yak armoured multirole vehicles have already been deployed to Afghanistan as part of the German contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Late in 2005, following approval of the German Parliament, Rheinmetall Landsysteme (RLS) was awarded a major contract from the BWB (Bundesamt für Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung) worth EUR181 million to supply additional light armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) to the German Army with deliveries to run from 2006 through to 2009.

These vehicles are used by the German Army for out of area operations and their light weight will enable them to be rapidly transported by current in-service C-160 service aircraft as well as the future A400M.

The order also covered the supply of Bv 206 S tracked articulated all-terrain light AFV and Yak (6 × 6) armoured multi-role vehicle.

A total of 100 Yak (or DURO III as it is also referred to) have been ordered at a total cost of EUR84 million and these will be delivered in the armoured-personnel carrier (APC) configuration.

A total of 81 Bv 206 S are to be supplied at a total cost of EUR67 million. RLS will purchase the baseline vehicle from BAE Systems Hägglunds in Sweden and integrate specific German command and control equipment.

Under earlier BWB contracts RLS has already supplied 31 Bv 206S ambulances to the German Army and follow on orders are eventually expected to bring the total up to 200 units in all configurations with additional variants expected to include an APC and a mortar carrier.

The power pack is located under the forward control cab and consists of a Cummins ISB 5.9 litre turbocharged six-cylinder diesel developing 245 hp, which is coupled to an Allison S 2000 fully automatic five-speed transmission. There is a synchronised two-level transfer box and spin-resistant Torsen differentials in all axle gears and in the transfer case.

The rigid De Dion axles are suspended from the rigid ladder frame with a longitudinal stabilisation rod. MOWAG claims that this provides for maximum traction over rough terrain and stability when loaded. The torsion-free chassis is provided with an integral roll stabiliser with a frame of the tubular ladder type.

The vehicle is provided with a pneumatic brake with ABS and hydraulic disc brakes all round. There is also an electrically actuated exhaust brake system and a spring-loaded parking brake.

The forward control cab has seats for the commander (right) and driver (left) and provides the occupants with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters.

The one-piece windscreen is electrically heated, as are the electrically adjustable rear view mirrors. There is an emergency hatch in the roof and to allow access to the power pack, the cab can be tilted forwards using a hydraulic device.

The standard armour package provides protection to STANAG 4569 Level 1 (7.62 × 51 mm NATO ball) and Level 2 (7.62 × 39 mm armour piercing) and partial protection against Level 3 (7.62 × 54 mm armour piercing).

Mine protection is also to STANAG 4569 Level 1 (hand grenades and anti-personnel mines). Higher levels of protection are available to meet users' specific operational requirements.

Mounted to the immediate rear of the cab is the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and air-conditioning units, which serve both the front and rear units. This provides power for heating, air conditioning and additional electrical power.

Also mounted to the rear of the cab are mission-critical components such as the fuel system, brake units, batteries, cooling system and electronics.

The rear body consists of a steel frame and steel floor, to which the panels of advanced ceramic armour are attached, with entry via two rearward opening doors.

Today two baseline rear mission modules are built, one with a high roof and one with a low roof. The rear doors and sides of the mission module can be fitted with bullet/splinter proof windows if required.

The high roofline module is typically used for the ambulance version and has a total internal volume of 9.28 m3 and an internal height of 1.8 m.

When fitted with this module the complete Yak is fully air transportable in a C-160 Transall transport aircraft. In this model the upper parts of the module have a distinct chamfer and the increased height allows for people to stand upright in the vehicle. In German Army service the EOD and LUNA models also have the higher roofline rear module.

The standard flat roof module is typically used for the military police version and has a total internal volume of 7.95 m3 and an internal height of 1.5 m. When fitted with this module the complete Yak is fully air transportable in a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The emergency ambulance, or Mobile Medical Team Vehicle as is officially called, is provided with a full range of specialist medical equipment plus four individual seats down the left side of the rear module and a single stretcher position on the right side.

The military police model has a remote-controlled weapon station installed on the roof, which is armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher, although other weapon stations and weapons (for example 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun) can be fitted. This remote weapon stations allows targets to be engaged with the operator under complete armour protection.

The German Army vehicles are fitted with a Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Type 1530 Gun Mount but other types can be installed, including the Rheinmetall Landsysteme Model 609.

Some variants of the Yak also tow a trailer, for example the EOD model used by the German Army has a trailer that carries the remote-controlled EOD system, as does the LUNA UAV model.

Payload depends on the rear mission module but can be between 2 and 5.5 tonnes according to the manufacturer. The design of the Yak is such that it is possible to change rear mission modules to meet specific operational requirements. The rear modules could also be used as standalone units.

When used in the armoured personnel carrier role, a maximum of 12 troops can be carried and these are seated six down either side facing inwards.

Each person is provided with an individual seat complete with headrest, seat belt and a floor rest so that no part of the person is in contract with the floor of the vehicle. These features provide the occupants with a higher level of protection if the vehicle goes over a mine.

As well as an air-conditioning system, all vehicles are fitted with powered steering and run-flat tyres and as usual a wide range of optional equipment can be fitted. This includes central tyre-pressure inflation system, external inter phone, intercom unit between the front and rear units, global positioning system, reverse camera and special signals such as flashing lights.

In addition to the four specialised variants already supplied to the German Army, Yak can be adopted for a wide range of other missions including command and control, control station for unmanned aerial vehicles, logistics, medical services, observation and reconnaissance.