RRS-MITCOS: Rheinmetall and Rohde & Schwarz Join Forces
On 30 October, Rheinmetall and Rohde & Schwarz – two of Germany’s most prominent and most globally-minded companies active in the defence and security domains – announced their joint venture RRS-MITCOS Rheinmetall – Rohde & Schwarz – Military IT and Communications Solutions GmbH – in which the former parent holds a 74.9% stake and Rohde & Schwarz 25.1%.
The primary objective of the new company, which has already commenced operations in Berlin following a wide-ranging partnership agreement between the two companies in March 2017, is to play a leading role in the digitisation of Germany’s ground forces – for which the planned investment amounts to several billion Euros. The joint venture is open to incorporating the expertise and solutions of additional partners, which are to be included in subsequent project phases.
The two parent companies intend to use RRS-MITCOS to bid for the Bundeswehr’s Digitisation of Land-based Operations (D-LBO) programme, which supersedes two previous projects, the Mobile taktische Kommunikation (MoTaKo) and Mobiler taktischer Informationsverbund (MoTIV). D-LBO is the Bundeswehr’s premier modernisation project, which will result in the future digital command system of the German Army. In the Bundeswehr’s inventory alone, thousands of vehicles are due to be retrofitted with new technology in the medium term.
The parent companies share a global outlook, a legacy of successful defence and security contracting, reliable products and services and enviable reputations for quality and innovative problem solving. Each a significant player in its chosen market sector, together they bring a strong and compelling potential solution to what is arguably one of Germany’s most important defence programmes over the next decade. Rheinmetall’s defence business encompasses three divisions, focused on vehicle systems, electronic solutions and weapons and munitions: the Group has 24,000 employees worldwide and last year generated sales of over €6 billion. Rohde & Schwarz, with 11,500 staff, focuses on communications, information and security products for professional users and generates sales in the region of €2 billion.
@CAP: Digitisation will encompass every aspect of Bundeswehr combat and support activity, from armoured and logistics vehicles to integration of communications for small infantry units. (Photo via Wikipedia Commons)