The project, known as “Digitalisation of Land-Based Operations” (D-LBO), is a key initiative to enhance the Bundeswehr’s operational capabilities. It will replace legacy radios with state-of-the-art D-LBO command radio transmitters, integrate new software, and provide interconnected IT systems that enable real-time communication between platforms, soldiers, and sensors.
“The digitalisation of land-based operations is one of the German Army’s most important projects in the field of state-of-the-art communications,” the companies stated. The IT overhaul will significantly improve the interoperability and effectiveness of the Bundeswehr’s forces in complex operational environments.
Rheinmetall accounts for half of the project’s value and will lead the integration process alongside KNDS Deutschland. The contract covers the complete integration of new communication systems across various vehicle models, with work beginning in mid-2025 and completion scheduled for the end of 2030.
A separate €1.2 billion contract has also been awarded to ArGe ISI, another consortium involving Rheinmetall and blackned GmbH. This contract focuses on unifying the IT systems across all land force platforms, further enhancing the Bundeswehr’s digital infrastructure.
