The Bundeswehr has ordered infantry systems worth over €1 billion from Rheinmetall
The German defense contractor Rheinmetall has received a major order from the Bundeswehr to supply and upgrade the "Infanterist der Zukunft – Erweitertes System" (IdZ-ES) combat gear systems.
This was announced in an official press release from the company.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Federal Office for Armaments, Information Technology, and the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) has ordered additional equipment sets from Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH.
The contract is worth €1.04 billion. It provides for the modernization of existing systems, as well as the delivery of an additional 237 platoon-level kits.
Deliveries are scheduled for the period from November 2027 to December 2029. As a result, approximately 8,600 German service members will receive the new equipment.
One platoon kit is designed for approximately 35 soldiers and includes IT equipment and communications devices, optical and optoelectronic devices, and modern protective gear and clothing.
In total, upon completion of the contract, the German Army will have 353 platoon systems, comprising over 12,000 individual equipment sets.
The updated version of IdZ-ES is integrated into the program for the digitalization of ground operations. This allows military personnel to operate within a unified information network, exchanging data with combat vehicles and headquarters in real time.
It is noted that the contract is part of a framework agreement signed in February 2025, the total value of which could reach 3.1 billion euros by 2030. The German parliament recently approved additional funding for this project, so new procurements are expected.
In addition, the German Army will order kamikaze drones from Rheinmetall worth approximately €300 million. These are loitering munition-type drones capable of remaining airborne over a target area for extended periods before autonomously carrying out a strike.
Furthermore, the German defense company Rheinmetall and the Dutch firm Destinus, which specializes in strike and interceptor systems, have announced the creation of a joint venture. The goal of the collaboration is to launch joint production of missile systems.
