Germany approves €175 million investment package
While it prepares to finalise the German defence budget for 2021 on 26 November, the budget committee of the German Parliament has approved investment of €175 million ($208 million) on improving the Bundeswehr’s wide-area network, ammunition for the Leopard 2 MBT and upgraded heavyweight torpedoes for submarines.
Outdated components of the Atlas Elektronik DM2A4 Seehecht heavyweight torpedo (pictured) are being phased out, and test devices must also be upgraded. As a result, the German Navy is buying 69 conversion kits at a cost of about €31 million.
DM-2A4 (sold abroad as SeaHake Mod 4) was introduced by the German Navy in 2004. The torpedo is the main armament of the Type 212A submarine class and it is now in service with eight countries with more than 300 torpedoes having been delivered, according to Shephard Defence Insight.
Meanwhile, the Bundeswehr expects to conclude a €27 million binding order and framework agreement until 2028 for production and delivery of three types of ammunition for the Leopard 2. This order includes practice ammunition, the German MoD noted on 20 November.
IT investment of about €117 million covers a renewal of German military network infrastructure to develop a ‘future-oriented’ solution, provided by the Bundeswehr’s in-house software division BWI by 2027.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
-
Canada’s C$2 billion ACSV deal reinforces new defence industrial strategy as allies align
General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is the country’s first strategic partner under the Defence Industrial Strategy’s Strategic Partnership Framework, an effort to provide companies with confidence to invest and boost the defence labour force.
-
New UK armed forces minister frames High North defence as vital to “homeland security”
The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones made her first appearance in the role before the House of Commons Defence Committee this week to highlight efforts to improve capability in the High North.
-
Canada seeks to strengthen industrial ties with the US on classified programmes
Ottawa explores expanding defence-industrial cooperation with Washington into sensitive programmes, an approach that could reshape NORAD modernisation, strengthen North American supply chains and create new opportunities for defence contractors.