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Order worth billions: KNDS and Rheinmetall will equip 10,000 Bundeswehr vehicles with digital radio equipment

Munich, Koblenz, 19th December 2024

The ArGe D-LBO (Working group for digitalizing land-based operations) of KNDS Deutschland and Rheinmetall has been commissioned by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to digitize the command-and- control equipment of the land forces' vehicle systems. The total volume of the contract, which has a term of six years, is €1.98bn gross. KNDS Deutschland accounts for half of this amount.

The “digitalization of land-based operations” is one of the German Army's most important projects in the field of state-of-the-art communications. The focus of the IT-conversion is about replacing the radios with the new D-LBO command radio transmitters and exchanging the software. This new IT system consists of communication devices, computers, software and IT- services, and further more. Hence, it enables the interconnection of platforms, soldiers and sensors for the exchange of information in real-time, and thus increases their operational capabilities and interoperability.

The contract includes all work for the integration of new digital radio transmitters and command-and-control systems within various sample integrations and is awarded in its entirety to the contractor ArGe D-LBO, which will ensure the implementation of the overall contract.

The integration of the series will commence in mid-2025 and will comprise around 10,000 Bundeswehr combat and support vehicles. The conversion is expected to be completed by the end of 2030.

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Press contact

Dr. Kurt Braatz
Chief Communications Officer
Phone: +31 20 218 4710
E-Mail: kurt.braatz (at) knds.nl

KNDS is the result of the association of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France. KNDS forms a Group of around 9,500 employees, with a 2023 turnover of 3.3 billion euro, an order backlog of around 16 billion euro and incoming orders of 7.8 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, military bridges, customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a wide range of equipment. The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry in Europe. The alliance of KMW and Nexter enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective national army. In addition, KNDS offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization and interoperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base. KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.