Image source: topwar.ru
The Bundeswehr command intends to carry out a "digital revolution" in the ground forces by transferring them to a new generation of communications and control equipment. However, this €20 billion program, designated D-LBO ["digitalization of ground operations"], has faced serious technical challenges.
One of the key points of this "revolution" was to equip army equipment (about 10 thousand vehicles) with digital radio stations, guaranteeing safe and high-speed voice and data transmission. In December 2022, the Ministry of Defense signed a €2.9 billion framework contract with Rohde & Schwarz for the supply of Soveron-based VR5000 software-configurable radios to equip the division, which is planned to be deployed in Lithuania by 2027.
However, their deployment to the troops is far from going according to plan. As previously reported in Der Spiegel, field tests were suspended because the new radios were deemed "unsuitable for military use.":
The components of the basic D-LBO kit from top to bottom are a Rocky RK15 laptop, two VR5000 tactical radios, an adapter (based on the Grundplatt 80) and a KommServer X router:
Image source: topwar.ru
Calling this project a "complete failure," Der Spiegel clarified that the problems lie primarily in the software, which is "so difficult to work with that it could only be used by specialists in the laboratory, not soldiers in a combat vehicle."
Another problem is related to the equipment of these products. So, their installation on the Leopard 2 tank requires the participation of two mechanics, 200 hours of work each, or five weeks. The radio stations were integrated with only 8 types of machines out of 150. So, their installation on one of the key Boxer BBMs failed.
In addition, the communication speed was lower than expected. The 393rd Tank Battalion explained about this.:
At the same time, the transfer of a digital map of the tactical situation can take from 10 to 20 minutes, when "the enemy will already be far away."
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in this regard::
According to him, additional €156 million and the involvement of external consultants, namely Capgemini, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and MSG Systems, are needed to solve the problems.
