The "Elephant" was designed for improved mobility on the battlefield and to meet the increasing need to transport heavy tanks. Development started in 1970 and by April 1976 the first vehicles out of a total of 324 were ready for delivery to the German army. One of its advantages is the 8x8 all-wheel drive. Between 1994 and 2000 the German army undertook a general upgrade programme for all 324 vehicles to enable the "Elephant" to remain in use until at least the end of 2015. It is customary for the crews to give their vehicles nicknames such as "Baby Hörmann" or "Dumbo". The "Elephant" is also used by the German army contingent operating under IFOR, SFOR and KFOR mandate. Since 2002 it has also been used by the Polish army.