► D-LBO: Rheinmetall records a call-off worth €100 million for additional hardware and support services

As part of the ‘Digitisation of Land-based Operations (D-LBO)’ project, the Bundeswehr placed a call-off order for further services and components to digitise its vehicle fleet. The contractor is the working group for IT system integration (ARGE IT-Systemintegration), a consortium comprising Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH and blackned GmbH. The call-off consists of hardware components and industrial services, required to continue the series integration of digital command and communication systems into Bundeswehr vehicles.

To support the series conversion, the ARGE is providing ten additional series integration teams. These teams are scheduled to be deployed from the fourth quarter of 2027 to the fourth quarter of 2028 and will augment the available capacities for the conversion. The call-off’s hardware component includes 5,000 ‘basic’ adapter plate sets for integrating IT and radio equipment into various vehicle platforms, as well as 11,000 rugged pin pads for controlling cryptographic functions and digital command and communication systems.

Another area of attention of the call-off is the provision of technical support services during the ongoing series integration. This includes the integration of software components, the optimisation of technical interfaces, and measures to ensure stable system operation.

Within the ARGE, blackned contributes its expertise in the field of software architecture and tactical communication solutions. Rheinmetall Electronics is specifically responsible for integrating the system technology into the various vehicle platforms. This latest call-off continues the implementation of the ‘Digitisation of Land-based Operations’ project. The programme aims to provide land forces with a continuous, secure and interoperable digital command and information infrastructure.

The major D-LBO project forms the technological backbone of the modernisation of the German land forces. With a potential total budget in the billions, it is one of the most important modernisation projects of the Bundeswehr. Through the comprehensive digitalisation of thousands of vehicles and command posts, the programme lays the foundations for joint integrated, state-of-the-art command and control capabilities as well as for interoperability with NATO partners in the context of national and alliance defence.