Germany selects Rheinmetall to upgrade future soldier systems
The IdZ-ES suite networks dismounted troops with a Puma IFV 'mothership'. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
Rheinmetall has received a contract to provide enhanced networking capabilities to equip 14 platoons of German Army infantry.
The German Armed Forces has contracted Rheinmetall to modernise command and control elements of its soldier systems. A total of 14 platoon-level Future Soldier-Extended Systems (IdZ-ES) will be delivered, covering equipment for 476 individual troops.
According to Rheinmetall, the contract value is in ‘the mid-double-digit million-euro range’. The order was placed in December, when the budgetary committee of the German Parliament approved funding from the country’s €100 billion special defence procurement fund.
The VJTF 2023 version of IdZ-ES, for use by German troops assigned to NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, links dismounted soldiers to the Puma infantry fighting vehicle, which serves as a ‘mother ship’.
The system represents a ‘significant step’ in the process of digitalisation for the German Army. According to Rheinmetall, the technology enables mounted and dismounted personnel to access the same information, and allows dissemination of data more precisely, quickly and robustly.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV]()
Eurosatory 2026: IDV expands with new Viking and CL2X UGV
At Eurosatory 2026, uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) are front and centre of IDV’s display, with a new variant of the Viking and the new CL2X on show.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Recovery, reconnaissance, autonomy and air defence shape land systems developments]()
Eurosatory 2026: Recovery, reconnaissance, autonomy and air defence shape land systems developments
New recovery vehicles, reconnaissance platforms, autonomous fire-support systems and short-range air-defence capabilities on display at Eurosatory 2026 highlighted how land forces are adapting to evolving battlefield requirements.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Ukraine drives European artillery renaissance]()
Eurosatory 2026: Ukraine drives European artillery renaissance
European governments have ordered nearly 1,400 self-propelled howitzers and more than 400 multiple-launch rocket systems since 2022 as lessons from Ukraine reshape long-range fires requirements across the continent.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Nordic CV90 contract to be signed this year as best offer submitted]()
Eurosatory 2026: Nordic CV90 contract to be signed this year as best offer submitted
The four-nation Nordic Programme to buy BAE Systems Hägglunds CV90 MkIV tracked vehicles is an ambitious effort for the partner countries to buy almost identical vehicles and is worth billions of dollars.
