Rheinmetall receives largest framework contract to date for soldier systems

Germany’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) signed a framework contract with Rheinmetall Electronics on 6 February 2025 for the follow-on procurement of ‘Infantry Soldier of the Future – Enhanced System’ (IdZ-ES) soldier systems, Rheinmetall announced on 7 February 2025.

The framework contract, which has a maximum gross volume of EUR 3.1 billion, will run until the end of 2030. Overall, the Bundeswehr can thus initiate the proportional regeneration as well as the manufacturing and delivery of up to 368 IdZ-ES platoon systems and various options for the procurement of additional components and services.

The contract involves firstly upgrading the 68 IdZ-ES platoon systems currently in use within the Bundeswehr to a digital standard and, secondly, a firm order for a further 24 platoon systems including extensive peripherals. The firm order, worth around EUR 417 million gross, will be booked in the first quarter of 2025.

The contract is the largest ever for both Rheinmetall and the BAAINBw for the procurement of soldier systems, which play an increasingly important role as a networked element of combat operations on the digital battlefield.

A platoon system comprises 34 individual soldier systems plus peripheral platoon components consisting of advanced IT equipment, optics and optronics, as well as military clothing, protection and carrying equipment. As the general contractor, Rheinmetall is responsible for the system and is co-ordinating the performance of more than 30 subcontractors.

With the framework contract the Bundeswehr is procuring a modernised design of the IdZ-ES, based on the IdZ-ES VJTF 2023 soldier system of the Mechanised Infantry system that is already in use. The new ‘VJTF 2023 obsolescence-adjusted’ design status eliminates all technically obsolete components and implements communication and data exchange capabilities with the Boxer armoured transport vehicle and Puma infantry fighting vehicle, as well as preparing it for airborne use. The revised basic hardware of the soldier systems is also designed to connect to the Bunderwehr’s ‘Digitisation of Land-Based Operations’ (D-LBO) information and communication network.