Sweden has received the first of 14 Buffel armored recovery vehicles built in Germany. These are designed to recover the heavy Leopard-2A5 tanks used by Sweden. The Swedes demanded improvements to the German version of Buffel, including better ballistic protection, an internal spall liner, a reduced infrared signature, a command-and-control system (allowing commanders to see where all of their vehicles are), an on-board navigation system, a rear-view camera and crane to allow the Buffel to hook up a disabled Leopard without anyone having to get out of the vehicle, and a self-protection system that can launch smoke grenades that obscure even thermal vision systems. Spain has ordered 16 Buffels and Switzerland has ordered 25.--Stephen V Cole