Rheinmetall has secured a significant contract to deliver a mobile communication and directional radio management system for the German Armed Forces, with a total value of 1.88 billion euros (approximately $1.96 billion). This initiative involves the establishment of an integrated communication network known as the Tactical Wide Area Network for Land Based Operations (TaWAN LBO).
As part of the agreement, a military division will be equipped with the TaWAN LBO system, with deliveries scheduled to occur between the end of 2026 and the end of 2029. This undertaking forms a segment of a broader 10-year framework contract signed with the German arms procurement agency, known as BAAINBw, which is anticipated to be worth several billion euros over its lifespan.
The TaWAN LBO system is designed to facilitate secure and reliable communications among mobile platforms. It utilizes software-based radio link management and command interface vehicle components to optimize connectivity. A critical objective of this system is to reduce dependence on satellite communication while fortifying resistance against electronic warfare threats. Furthermore, the system is intended to link the digitization of land-based operations (D-LBO) with the core network, ensuring interoperability with multinational partners.
The “large directional radio system” will be housed within a durable 20-foot (6.09-meter) container mounted on a fortified 8×8 HX truck. In addition, a supplementary truck equipped with a mobile high extendable antenna mast will support the primary vehicle, indicating a robust deployment strategy for communication capabilities. In total, 102 vehicles will be supplied by Rheinmetall as a component of this contract.
This collaboration follows an earlier contract awarded to Rheinmetall for the Digitalization of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) program in December, valued at 1.2 billion euros (approximately $1.25 billion). This initiative aims to integrate IT systems across all vehicle and platform systems utilized by the German land forces.
Rheinmetall’s CEO, Armin Papperger, expressed enthusiasm about this dual provision of TaWAN LBO and D-LBO, noting that having both systems delivered from a single source creates optimal conditions for synchronized implementation. “It is our ambition to provide the Bundeswehr with a seamless and reliable communication network within the given timeframe – one which can be considered a flagship of digitalization in Germany,” Papperger commented, highlighting the strategic importance of these advancements for the capabilities of the German military.
