New driver’s night observation devices: Rheinmetall to modernize the Bundeswehr’s Marder infantry fighting vehicle
20 October 2020 –
The German Bundeswehr has awarded Rheinmetall a further order for modernizing
the tried-and-tested Marder infantry fighting vehicle, or IFV. Under the
contract, Rheinmetall Landsysteme will now be supplying the Bundeswehr with
over 170 driver’s night observation devices for the Marder fleet. Worth around
€24 million (including valued added tax), the order also encompasses logistical
support, training and other services. Delivery begins at the end of 2021 and is
to be complete by the end of 2022.
The new driver’s night observation device is the Spectus II. It fuses the image
from a residual light amplifier camera with one produced by a thermal imaging
device, improving the driver’s ability to see even in conditions of poor
visibility.
In addition, the system features a rear-view camera. Cooperation partners
taking part in the project include Rheinmetall Technical Publications and the
Rheinmetall subsidiary benntec Systemtechnik GmbH. In response to an urgent
operational requirement for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan, Rheinmetall
previously integrated the Spectus I – the Spectus II’s forerunner – into the
Marder 1 A5A1 fleet.
Now official, this order constitutes a continuation of successful efforts to
extend the Marder’s service life. In December 2019 the German armed forces
contracted with Rheinmetall to carry out a comprehensive modernization of part
of the Marder fleet. Moreover, the current contract could result in further
orders from customers both at home and abroad, thanks, for instance, to the
budget committee of the Bundestag giving a green light on 7 October 2020 to
procurement of a thermal imaging aiming device for the gunner and commander in
Bundeswehr Marders. Besides Germany, the Marder IFV is in service with the
armed forces of Chile, Indonesia and Jordan.
As the system’s original developer, Rheinmetall possesses comprehensive
experience and expertise in all aspects of the Marder infantry fighting
vehicle. The weapons system first rolled off the assembly lines of Rheinmetall
Landsysteme GmbH’s predecessor organization in Kassel. Battle-tested and
exceptionally reliable, the Marder will continue to serve German mechanized
infantry units as a trusty workhorse for some time to come, even now that the
number of new Puma IFVs in service with the German military will soon reach
350.
Photo courtesy Rheinmerall © Carl Schulze