Last week, Budget Committee of German Bundestag approved the call-off of soldiers’ radios within the framework agreement on Software Defined Radios (SDR) with Elbit Systems. Following a public call for tenders, German Bundestag had already approved conclusion of the corresponding framework agreement between Elbit consortium, consisting of Elbit Systems Germany, its Israeli parent company and the German procurement agency BAAINBw on November 30, 2022.
The chosen systems are SDR of the E-Lynx family. E-Lynx family radios are used at group and platoon level and are installed on board various combat vehicles. They are thus important for interconnected operations and enable modern and, above all, networked combat solutions in various environments. E-LynX SDR systems are designed in an open architecture and provide interoperable multi-channel network capabilities, enabling dynamic and autonomous optimisation of spectrum resources and simultaneous mission execution, ensuring fast, robust and secure communications.
The call-off now approved is an order for soldier radios to advance the Digitisation of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) project. “The 3,000 handheld radios and 500 radios for vehicles will be financed from the Bundeswehr’s special fund,” German Ministry of Defence reports. “They are being procured for around €33.2 million – including accessories and licences – and are the first order based on a framework agreement for the purchase of a total of 15,227 digital radios. The first devices are to be made available to Bundeswehr before the end of this year – in particular to the units that have been designated as NATO forces. Delivery of the radios from this order is to be completed by the end of 2024.”
The SDR will be produced at Elbit Systems Germany’s Ulm facility and are expected to be in service with the armed forces for six to eight years. Gregor Zowierucha, Managing Director of Elbit Systems Germany, said, “We are proud to provide the Bundeswehr with state-of-the-art network and radio technology. We remain committed to supporting Bundeswehr and our industry partners with excellent products, technologies and operational capabilities.”
Dorothee Frank, Head of editorial team