Rheinmetall has received another multi-billion euro contract from the Bundeswehr in the field of soldier systems. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and Utilisation (BAAINBw) awarded Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH additional soldier systems “Infantryman of the Future – Expanded System” (IdZ-ES) from a framework contract. The contract provides for the modernization of existing systems as well as the delivery of a further 237 platoon systems and has a gross value of €1.04 billion.
The commissioning took place in April, so that the entry into force in the second quarter of 2026 becomes effective. Overall, the German Bundestag approved €1.3 billion for the project just a few days ago, so further calls are expected. The systems are to be delivered between November 2027 and December 2029. This will mean another 8,600 soldiers receive the IdZ-ES equipment. In total, the Bundeswehr will then have over 353 platoon systems with more than 12,000 individual equipment items.
Re-procurement of IdZ-ES for a maximum of 3.1 billion euros
A platoon system is used to equip a military subunit and primarily comprises 35 individual soldier systems and a platoon-level peripheral equipment configuration, consisting of an extended IT setup, optics, optronics, as well as clothing, protection and load-carrying equipment. As the general contractor, Rheinmetall holds system responsibility and coordinates the work of more than 30 subcontractors.
In February 2025, the BAAINBw concluded a framework contract with Rheinmetall for the re-procurement of IdZ-ES systems with a maximum volume of €3.1 billion gross. This contract runs until the end of 2030 and already included a fixed-commission for modernizing 68 systems in use as well as the new procurement of 24 platoon systems worth around €417 million gross. The framework contract is the largest procurement contract to date for soldier systems for both Rheinmetall and the BAAINBw.
Integration into the D-LBO communications network
Soldier systems play an increasingly important role on the digital battlefield of the future as a networked element of command and control. In total, the Bundeswehr can thereby trigger the regeneration, production and delivery of further IdZ-ES platoon systems and numerous options for procuring supplementary components and services.
With the commissioned modernized design baseline, all technically obsolete components are renewed and the communications and data-exchange capabilities with different vehicle platforms prepared. With the revised base hardware, the soldier system is connected via the vehicle platform to the information and communications network “Digitalization of Land-Based Operations” (D-LBO). In addition, the prerequisites for direct connection to D-LBO have been created.
