EADS Receives New Order for the Supply of IdZs to the German Armed Forces

EADS Defence Electronics has received a €70 million ($88 million) contract from the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) for 196 IdZ future soldier basic systems. These systems will be used by around 2,000 German soldiers of all services.

This order follows past July order for 15 systems intended for German ISAF forces deployed in Kundus (Afghanistan), with deliveries completed in November this year. The new order will decisively improved the protection of German individual soldiers on high risk missions. German NATO response forces deployed in Afghanistan embedded in the ISAF will benefit from the new systems.

The IdZ or Infantryman of the Future is an integrated system that combines self-defense capabilities, communications, orienting or navigation, and arms. Therefore, IdZ brings the benefits of a networked environment; such as increased mission effectiveness, information superiority and enhanced situational awareness; to the German individual soldier.

The German soldier of the future system includes a ballistic-protective vest made form the most modern materials; nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection; night vision equipment; GPS-aided navigation device; tactical data and voice communications and improved armaments (assault rifle, etc).

IdZ is being developed under German Bundeswehr 'Projekthaus System Soldat' (Soldier System Project) program. EADS Defence Electronics leads a consortium that includes the German Bundeswehr and other companies supplying a wide range of civil components or COTS and military components for the final system.

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