These roles can include, but would not be limited to, minefield breaching, route denial, dozing and digging tasks, and the erection or demolition of obstacles.

The vehicle was originally developed for a Swiss Army requirement by the consortium of Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH (Germany) and RUAG Defence (Switzerland).

[1][3][2] Development of the AEV 3 Kodiak traces back to 2002 and the Swiss Army's Armoured Engineer Vehicle 3 requirement.

In the summer of 2003 the prototype underwent two months of trials with the Swiss Army, and during 2004 it was shown at the Eurosatory defence exhibition in Paris.

Following this showing the prototype underwent a series of trials with Leopard 2 MBT users Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.

Following these trials results were shared with the International AEV Coordination Group which had been established to develop some commonality within armoured engineering vehicle requirements and programs.

The twelve Leopard 2 chassis used came from Swiss Army stocks with turrets removed and construction occurred in Switzerland.

Since 2001 and to reduce costs Sweden had attempted collaborations with Switzerland and Denmark without success and in 2005 would commence lone procurement of an armoured engineering vehicle.

Swedish and Dutch vehicles reportedly share 95% commonality with differences limited to camouflage patterns, smoke grenade launchers, and some tools/equipment.

In service these are operated by the 38th Battalion, Singapore Combat Engineers (38 SCE), and replaced the US-built M728 CEV.

On 12 May 2021 Rheinmetall announced that the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) had signed a contract for the manufacture and delivery of a 44 Kodiak, with a gross value of around €295 million.

[1][2] Hull structure and layout The fixed superstructure of the AEV 3 Kodiak is constructed from all-welded steel, the protection level of which is classified, and for which a mine-protection package has been developed.

A range of other tools are available and these include a gripper, a hydraulic hammer, an earth auger, or a fascine launching system.

The Kodiak can also provide electrical or hydraulic power for external equipment such as work lights and hand tools.

[3] Automotives In common with the Leopard 2 MBT, the AEV 3 Kodiak is powered by a powerpack assembly consisting of an MTU 873 Ka-501 V-12 diesel coupled to a Renk HSWL 354 transmission.

In situ the powerpack is divided in two by a waterproof bulkhead, this keeping the front of the assembly dry while the rear floods for cooling when deep fording; the AEV 3 Kodiak can ford to 2.25 m. The complete pack weighs 3,025 kg and can be changed in the field in approximately 35 minutes as a single unit.

Slave starting using a second vehicle in the event of battery failure can be achieved using a connector in the rear of the hull.

With logistic, support and various other cost-saving commonalities factored in, these are considered by Rheinmetall to be possible future users for the AEV 3 Kodiak.