Germany is rapidly accelerating the digitization of its military
Germany is launching a major new phase in the digitalization of its ground forces, investing approximately €2.4 billion in secure communications and command-and-control systems for combat platforms. The D-LBO project aims to provide the army with a fully encrypted digital infrastructure and NATO interoperability, gradually replacing outdated analog systems. This is stated in a press release from the German Ministry of Defense.
The Bundeswehr is continuing a large-scale modernization of its ground forces and is investing additional billions of euros in the creation of a unified digital communications system, which is intended to transform how troops are commanded on the battlefield, making it faster, more secure, and technologically compatible with NATO allies.
The new contract under the D-LBO program involves an investment of approximately 2.4 billion euros, a significant portion of which will go toward equipping new combat platforms with modern digital communications systems. “The amendment agreement has a planned volume of approximately 2.4 billion euros, of which over two billion is allocated for equipping new platforms. These investments reflect the future personnel and material growth of the armed forces and do not constitute additional costs for the D-LBO program, the total volume of which is estimated at approximately €11.5 billion,” the agency stated in a press release.
As part of the program, more than 700 military platforms have already been modernized, and the infrastructure for their integration has been expanded from two to seven locations, which allows for the acceleration of the army’s large-scale re-equipment, although the full transition to new systems will take time due to the vast amount of equipment involved.
Because of this, the German military is forced to temporarily use a so-called “hybrid mode,” combining old and new communications technologies via secure radio stations to ensure the continuity of troop command during the transition period.
It is also noted that by 2027, Germany’s 37th Motorized Infantry Brigade is set to become fully digitized and ready to carry out missions as part of NATO’s forward forces.
The German Ministry of Defense emphasizes that the phase-out of old systems is irreversible, as modern combat operations require rapid data exchange and highly secure communication channels. “The analog world has no future. In the case of D-LBO, it’s not just about a radio station. It’s about an end-to-end, encrypted, digital command and information system for ground forces,” the ministry stated, emphasizing that the new infrastructure is intended to provide the army with a technological advantage and full interoperability with Alliance partners.
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