http://www.military-today.com/engineering/leclerc_dng.htm The French Leclerc DNG armored recovery vehicle is based on extended Leclerc main battle tank chassis. It was developed as a replacement to the previous AMX-30D, which was not capable to tow or recover the heavier Leclerc tanks. Development of the new ARV began in 1991. The first prototype was built in 1994. First production vehicles were delivered to the French Army in 1999. More information on Military-Today.com webiste.