German companies team for digitization of Germany's ground forces
NewsMarch 29, 2017
MUNICH and DUESSELDORF, Germany. German defense-electronics companies Rheinmetall and Rohde & Schwarz have entered a partnership that aims at leading the digitization of Germany?s ground armed forces. The two enterprises established a joint venture to compete for two major German procurement projects: "MoTaKo," which stands for ?mobile tactical communications,? and ?MoTIV,? short for ?mobile tactical information network.?
The companies say that the project's total order volume is likely to be in the "mid-ten-figure euro range," with thousands of so-called Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Forces of Germany) vehicles alone earmarked for retrofitting.
MoTaKo and MoTIV will form the yet-to-be-designed digital command-and-control system. Under the joint venture, Rheinmetall will be responsible for the command systems, cross-functional operator interface, and complete vehicle-integration process. For its part, Rohde & Schwarz will contribute its IP-based system solutions for secure communications.
Rheinmetall will own a 74.9 percent stake in the joint venture, with Rohde & Schwarz holding the remaining 25.1 percent. Additionally, the companies plan to draw on the expertise of other partners during individual phases of the project.
