Rheinmetall has received another Billion-euro-contract from the Bundeswehr in the field of soldier-systems. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has placed a call-off order with Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH for additional ‘Infantry Soldier of the Future – Enhanced System’ (IdZ-ES) soldier-systems under a framework agreement.
The contract covers the modernisation of existing systems and the delivery of additional 237 platoon systems. It is worth €1.04bn gross. The systems have are to be delivered between November 2027 and December 2029. Additional 8,600 soldiers will receive the IdZ-ES system. In total, the Bundeswehr will then be equipped with 353 platoon systems comprising over 12,000 individual sets of equipment. Awarded in April, the contract will be booked in the second quarter of 2026. In total, the German Bundestag has approved €1.3 billion for the project a few days ago, so further call-offs are expected.
One platoon system mainly comprises 35 individual soldier-systems and a platoon equipment of peripheral components, consisting of advanced IT-equipment, optics, optronics, as well as military clothing, protection and carrying equipment. As the general contractor, Rheinmetall is responsible for the system and is coordinating the contribution of more than 30 subcontractors.
In February of 2025, the BAAINBw signed a framework contract with Rheinmetall for the procurement of additional IdZ-ES systems, with a maximum value of €3.1bn gross. The contract runs until the end of 2030 and already included a firm order for the modernisation of 68 systems already in use and the procurement of 24 new platoon systems worth around €417m gross. This framework contract for the procurement of soldier-systems is the largest of its kind to date for both Rheinmetall and BAAINBw.
Digital soldier-systems play an increasingly important role in future digital battlefield operations. The Bundeswehr can thus initiate the proportionate refurbishment, manufacturing and delivery of further IdZ-ES platoon systems, as well as the procurement of numerous additional components and services.
The commissioned modernised design status eliminates all technically obsolete components and implements communication and data exchange capabilities with different vehicle platforms. With the revised base hardware, the soldier system is connected via the vehicle platform to the ‘Digitisation of Land-based Operations’ (D-LBO) information and communications network. Furthermore, the conditions for direct connection to D-LBO have been established.
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