The requirements to be met by the German Army have enormously changed in the past one and a half decades; it is similar with the armament of the Army. This is even more true when taking a forward look and seeing the tasks and the equipment of the Army forces in the light of current and future missions. While until 1990 the Army equipment was exclusively geared to combined arms combat within the framework of NATO defence in Central Europe and to the German territory, the basics and parameters for armament projects of the Bundeswehr and its Army are much more comprehensive, complex and complicated today. The range of tasks of ground forces has become more diverse. The mission spectrum spans from highly mobile, intensive combat via stabilization operations up to reconstruction and “nation building”. These actions are often carried out in narrow areas and in parallel. There are new forms of threat within the scope of worldwide missions all the way up to terrorist attacks. The threat posed to operational forces exists all around in respect to area and time. The requirements resulting from that determine the armament planning of the Army.
The transformation process of the Bundeswehr going on since 2003 is to manage the changes in security and defence policy in the Federal Republic of Germany as well as the challenges of the 21^st century. Objective of the transformation of the Bundeswehr is the consistent improvement of the operability. This goal has also and especially been set for the planning and implementation of the armament projects of the Army. Here, an essential aspect is the classification into the force categories of response, stabilization and support forces. Intention of the Chief of Staff, Bundeswehr, was to gear the forces more consistently to different mission potentialities and requirements. With that, the armament projects were also to be planned more purposefully for these requirements, which, as a consequence, were to reduce armament means, scope, and ultimately the costs. Whether this will always work or the force is deployed to current missions with most modern, fully operational equipment even independent of force categories remains to be seen.
The defence budget has developed adversely since the nineties; it was noticeably exploited as a “quarry” in favor of other important purposes of national provisions. Consequently, the targeted investment rate of about 30 percent was never achieved. The armed forces were thus only possible to be proportionally furnished with the necessary innovative equipment. Since the devastating attacks in the USA on September 11, 2001 and the subsequent beginning of the Afghanistan mission there was more money available for procurements, but mostly through the so-called “immediate mis­sion requirements” program which serves to procure equipment for the missions directly and often only in smaller batches. The situation has improved since last year, however. As a result of slight increases and returns on capital gains (e.g. selling of LEOPARD tanks or infrastructure) there were an additional 600 million euros available for procurements; in 2006 even one billion with 600 million euros for military procurements. But with this, the investment share of the budget has still not reached the above mentioned target figure number of 30 percent – depending on the way of computation 24 to 28 percent, much less equalized the long backlog demand. Price hike rates as well as sweeping costs for very expensive major systems of the Air Force and Navy (e.g. EUROFIGHTER, A400M transport aircraft, 125 Class Frigate, 130 Class Corvette) leave only small gains for projects of the Army. It is to be hoped that the investment portion can be kept at least at the 2008 level in the coming years and that the Army will also get a “piece of the cake”. Only then will it be possible to implement the gradual procurement processes described hereinafter.
The Army had always the problem of making its system ideas clear. Although being the mainstay of land operations, which are mostly in the core an effort, and of the present missions of the Bundeswehr it was not able to sufficiently assert itself with its many small and medium-scale procurement projects against the individual expensive flying and floating major systems of the other two Services. A division will fight even if a few older tanks are taken along, if parts of modern ammunition are lacking or if the infantry is still equipped with out­dated weapons. A EUROFIGHTER flies, but doesn’t fight if essential components are lacking; it would just “fall from the sky”. And just as that would a new corvette sink. The Army has thus switched over some time ago to define itself in closed major system, which have to be equipped as comprehensively and modern as possible to allow the tasks of the Army to be successfully accomplished. For the future, the Army has therefore identified five capability-related system combines: the Response Forces Division, Stabilization Brigade, Airmobile Brigade, German-French Brigade as well as the Specialized Operations Division.
Transformation of the armed forces also means that it must be adequately backed up in structures and materiel and equipment. The gap between structural and materiel capability buildup in the Bundeswehr and the Army will not be possible to be closed with the described financial restrictions for some time to come. It is therefore imperative to realize a gradual procurement of new equipment as the only and right solution. The Bundeswehr has therefore subdivided the materiel/equipment into the three classes: initial, basic and target equipment. With the initial equipment it is intended to enable ten concretely defined combat units and/or task forces to execute tasks in the mission spectrum of the Army autonomously by the year 2015 (!). This would allow backing up the force strength with modern equipment according to the present mission reality. As for the basic equipment it is planned to have the forces of two brigade equivalents, six combat units, and one unit for national evacuation operations available in the Army. With the target level equipment all units/elements would have the complete modern TO&E equipment at their disposal. One would not like to make a bet as to when this heavenly condition will be reached, because its realization will only be possible in the long term.
This way of proceeding is not pleasant at all, but necessary. It is important that the step-by­step materiel buildup makes it possible to maintain the coherence of the system. In addition, the Army has established its most important equipment-determining requirements, which cover the entire range of the comprehensive mission spectrum. The capabilities, which the Army aims for with priority, are protection and effect in operations. This will guarantee the successful robustness of the forces employed. A precondition for these capabilities is the ability to conduct precise reconnaissance as well as a superior command capability.
Despite the less promising procurement situation the Army was able to improve its in part already excellent equipment for the troops on operations in the last few years. Additional gains are expected in the near future. On the drawing board, in the planning we find out­standingly good ideas and even concrete procurement projects which can comprehensively enable the Army and its soldiers to accomplish their tasks. These projects are so numerous that only parts of them, the most important examples can be outlined below.

Effectors

In the field of effectors it will be increasingly essential in future to destroy all types of targets up to single targets with high probability. This must also be possible near friendly forces and the civilian population to avoid collateral damage. Target discrimination and selection as well as the possibility for a deliberate, direct abort of missions must be given. The integration into NEW should be made possible with new effectors and with that the coacting of joint and combined as well as multinational effectors pools. Effect and protection must be balanced with the effectors.
Within this meaning, the KZO drone can, by one of the latest development of the Army, be linked with the capability area “effectiveness in operations”. Here, it is no longer only about reconnaissance, but about a completely different quality – about the possibility to produce effect with UAVs against targets in the depth of the area of operations. Considerations have long been given to a partly autonomous means in the meaning of a “combat drone” to engage point targets with ranges up to 150 km while avoiding collateral damage. The capability for target identification, for longer loitering over targets as well as for continual mission abort is also to be linked with that. The “effector for standoff engagement of individual and point targets” (ESEIP) is one possibility. The idea is to interlink two systems with each other. A powerful target locating system like the KZO would conduct reconnaissance and serve as a relay station for command and control, option for mission abort, etc. A loiter-capable, i.e. over the target hovering effector could, if necessary, be called and guided into the target under observation and ultimately with its own sensors in near real time. In a first project it is about the combination of the KZO drone with the HAROP strike element of the Israeli Company “Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.” as an ESEIP. The systems are integrally employed as a closed system and networked for that purpose. The system design is such that it allows including additional reconnaissance means and effectors in future, too. Respective analyses are being made. The development of ESEIP will not start before 2009; the procurement is expected as of 2011 at the earliest. Such an innovative system could close an important capability gap for German and other armed forces and would have excellent chances on the market.
Other armament projects of the Army will improve the capability for indirect engagement. The well-proven Armored Self-propelled Howitzer 2000 of the KMW Company on the LEOPARD 1 chassis with a high protection level is considered to be the most modern tube weapon system of the artillery in the world. The 155mm L/52 weapon system of the Rheinmetall W&M Company with its innovative tube can reach a range of up to 40 km, depending on the type of ammunition. Novel-type shells (sensor fuse, bomblet, demolition and smoke ammunition and flares), new propellants and fuses will improve the system as a whole, resulting in longer ranges and higher effectiveness. In the New Army there is still a need of 150 howitzers 2000.
The MARS Medium Artillery Rocket System – soon available only 50 times – is to be upgraded as of this year. The new fire control system “European Future Control System” will constitute the interface between the operator, the ADLER CWCS, and the rocket system with the GMLRS Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System to be newly procured. It would then allow precision effects at ranges of 70 km. Two warheads are planned for the GMLR to make it possible to fulfill different effect requirements. The modern SMArt against armored vehicles like the UNITARY warhead, penetrating and with fragmentation and demolition effect. Kinetics Energy Rods, which with their high piercing effect do not leave unexploded shells, are still tested as replacement for cluster ammunition.
The infantry units will be equipped with a novel-type, air transportable mortar combat system. In the center is here the 120mm light armored mortar WIESEL 2. The system is characterized by preparedness for action (readiness for firing) after 90 seconds, an increased range up to 8,000 m, an improved hit accuracy and target effect. The mortar ammunition in the three types of demolition, IR smoke, IR flare with a new multifunction fuse rounds off the innovative project. The vehicles have GPS-based navigation systems as well as the link to the ADLER CWCS. The procurement of the nine mortar combat systems in the Army will start in 2009; it is presently considered to acquire some of them in advance for the mission in Afghanistan .
The joint and combined capability for mutual fire support by use of all suitable effectors of Army, Air Force and Navy, including those of allies, is pushed ahead with Joint Fire Support Teams (JFST). In JFSTs the functions of the forward observers of artillery and mortars as well as of forward air controllers are merged. This allows guiding the total spectrum of “indirect fire” like high-angle fire, close air support by aircraft and of fire support from the sea. Beginning in late 2008, the Army will procure the first 10 FENNEK for five teams; JFST on the basis of WIESEL 2, BV 206 S and PUMA AIFV are planned for a later date. An excellent example for Networked Enabled Warfare (NEW) becomes obvious here.
The well-proven effector, the Leopard 2 A5/8 battle tank, of the KMW general contractor with the 120mm L 44 smooth bore gun of the RM Company is considered to be one of the most powerful in the world. It is characterized by an optimal combination of firepower, protection, mobility, and controllability. 350 battle tanks will remain in the New Army’s armor corps. They were improved in their effectiveness by upgrading such as additional armor plating as well as a longer tube with new enhanced ammunition. Moreover, 70 of these battle tanks were equipped with an additional mine shielding against antitank mines.
Additional retrofitting is considered for all the 350 LEOPARD 2 battle tanks to adapt them to the entire spectrum of options and especially to the employment under asymmetric threats.
These measures include e.g. the improvement of the allround visibility and protection against effect from above/behind, integration into the ICCIS of the combat troops as well as 120mm pre-conditionable HE shells with a range of 5,000 m. In addition, the operability in built­up/urban areas is also to be improved as from about 2012 with 50 UrbOps battle tanks. The KMW Company has already developed a LEOPARD 2 PSO (Peace Support Operation) battle tank which comprises numerous retro­fittings. The Army wants to be moderate, among other things with dozer blade, external voice system and visible light headlights. A loader weapon station is to allow the employment of an MG and non-lethal effectors under protection. All those measures will make the LEOPARD 2 A5/6 battle tank heavier. The Army is also going to have types with different equipment, which can be employed for various purposes on a high armament level.
As a modern, modular weapon system of the mechanized infantry the PUMA Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) is the most important procurement project of the Army. General contractor is the Project System & Management Company, a joint venture of the KMW and RLS companies. The AIFV fulfills the capabilities demanded of modern and future-oriented combat vehicles according to current mission experiences. These include, for instance, the rapid, worldwide deployability in the new A400M transport aircraft, high tactical mobility, superior effectiveness, robustness, threat-related protection, space for the mechanized infantry group with nine soldiers and last but not least the capability to conduct network­based operations. The PUMA AIFV has advanced technology all around whose complete listing would be too extensive; the following should do. It has the worldwide best combined protection in its class with modular armor plating with novel protection technologies. The PUMA has the first unmanned turret of an AIFV with a stabilized 30mm automatic gun MK 30-2/ABM with 200 round per minute. The ammunition consists of full caliber and sub-caliber ammunition (APFSDS-T) against lightly armored vehicles at ranges of 2,000 and 3,000 m, respectively. With the air bust ammunition (time fuse technology) it is possible to engage hard, soft, and also air targets up to 3,000 m directly and variably on a larger surface area and also behind covered positions. A 76mm grenade launcher with 6 rounds mounted at the rear end of the vehicle can effectively support in close combat/combat in built-up areas up to 65 m. Active selfdefence systems are planned to be integrated. The MUSS of the EADS/KMW/RM Company – it builds a “protective wall” around the AIFV by means of multispectral cluster smoke – was already successfully tested with the PUMA. The AWISS of the Diehl Company, which destroys approaching projectiles with fragmentation charge before their impact, would be possible to be retrofitted later. 405 AIFVs will be procured as from 2010 to 2019.
The EUROSPIKE LR system will be integrated for the PUMA AIFV infantrymen as a “multirole-capable light guided missile system” (MELLS). Manufacturer is the EuroSpike Consortium, a merger of the RDE, Diehl and the Israeli Rafael companies. This modern system is to serve the combating of tanks, helicopters, and infrastructure/fortifications in all visibility conditions up to a distance of 4,000 m. It has the “fire & forget and observe” options by which misses and collateral damages can be avoided. Inflight target change is possible. The missile is fired into the target by means of guid­ance and seeker head – horizontally or by “top attack” from above. Another advantage is the firing from closed rooms. Two types of the EUROSPIKE LR are expected to be procured as from 2010. The mechanized infantrymen are to get 405 MELLS laterally mounted at the AIFV turret. Provisionally planned for the infantry, part of the engineers as well as the Special Forces Command are 160 systems as a portable variant to the dismounted employment.
With the Multirole Armored Vehicle (MRAV) BOXER the Infantry will receive the first really protected vehicle, a true “mothership”, for its forces. Effected in German-Dutch partnership, the 8x8 version is being developed by the KMW and RLS companies. Procured for Germany will be one group transport and one command and control vehicle as well as one ambulance version. The MRAV BOXER offers a model in the protective class, which is unique in the world for wheeled vehicles; it is characterized by a successful combination of modularity, multirole capability, mobility, protection and augmentation potential. Primary features are: modular design with multi-walled hull construction, protection against all known mines, effectors from above and against direct fire from all sides up to 25mm x 137 MK (automatic gun), space for up to 11 soldiers, air-transportable with the A400M transport aircraft, armament with 12.7 MG or a 40mm grenade machine gun, at presently still mounted.
The armament project “remotely controllable weapon stations” with the capability for self­defence under protection for vehicles of the armed forces is to be implemented as of 2008.
I am sure that the MRAV BOXER will also be equipped with that. The BOXER command and control vehicles will be enabled for integration into the Army CCIS with respective command control and communication equipment. The group transport vehicles of the infantry will be the interface for integrating the “Infantryman of the Future” (IoF) system into this command and control system. At present, studies are conducted on five prototypes. The delivery of the first of the total of about 400 MRAV BOXER could occur in 2009. Presently planned for the German Army is a 1st batch of 190 MRAV BOXER, of which 125 are transport and 65 command and control vehicles.
The infantry and the mechanized infantry are intended to be equipped with the “Infantryman of the Future – Expanded System” (IoF–ES) whose project planning is presently in progress.
General contractor for the project planning of the IoF – ES is the RDE Company. The procurement of about 1,100 systems is planned as of 2009. With an initial allowance of about 470 IoF–ES, a good half of all infantry and mechanized infantry groups would get this modern equipment. The system is designed for group strengths of up to 10 soldiers and comprises a large number of improved equipment for the forces fighting dismounted. It is based on the IoF basic system already available in the infantry which is, e.g., furnished with the battle dress with integrated NBC protection, a lighter ballistic protective vest, a modular load carrying vest, a headset, BiV protective goggles, integrated group radio including GPS and a Bluetooth interface, and new small arms. The IoF – ES is to particularly improve the effectiveness and command capability, to reduce the weight of the system as well as the energy demand by use of new technologies. One point of main effort is the linking of the group command with the Army CCIS. Other examples are: data computerization by means of PDA, helmet/video cameras, friend/foe identification, sensors for acoustic warning, use of fuel cells as well as improvements with optical and sighting equipment. Part of the equipment of the basic system is included in the project “Soldier in Operations” and is planned to be used by all soldiers of the Bundeswehr on operations in future.
Current threats from the air are posed in missions under asymmetric conditions by primarily small, cheap and mass means like unguided missiles, artillery ammunition, and mortar shells (RAM) up to civilian airplanes. The new air defence system will be geared to the protection of forces, objects and installations in the fight against novel threats; apart from that it continues to be oriented towards conventional air defence. New capability requirements are e.g. the engagement of very small targets and/or targets which can be acquired for only a short time; high destruction probability against small and mass targets, but also modern air warfare means with standoff-capable weapons in the altitude range of up to 5,000 m and with a hit distance of up to 10,000 m as well as coordinated coaction and data exchange with the air defence. The development of the close-in range protection project Counter-RAM of the Oerlikon-Contraves/RM Companies has been started. The first two systems for bivouac protection in Mazar-i-Sharif , Afghanistan are said to be procured in 2009. Additional components of the air defence system are planned as of 2014.
The multirole-capable TIGER support helicopter is the modern and robust effector of the Army for the support from the air. General contractor of the German-French project is the EADS Company. The helicopter is partly armored, all weather and night combat capable. With a crew of two soldiers, an endurance of about five hours with auxiliary fuel tanks and a maximum speed of 270 km/h it has a range of up to 1,300 km. The TIGER helicopter combats enemies in fixed infrastructure up to modern battle tanks at distances of up to 6,000 m. For that purpose it has a weapon mix consisting of STINGER air-to-air missiles, a 12.7mm MG for close ranges, unguided missiles against area targets as well as the main armament, the Antitank Missile System 3, Long Range . The guided missile itself is a long-range, armor piercing “Fire & Forget System” of advanced technology. A sensor in the mast-mounted sight of the TIGER detects the target. Target data are transmitted to the guided missile’s seeker head. After firing the missiles homes in on the target autonomously. A volley of up to four guided missiles can be fired. Six TIGER helicopters are presently available of which four are stationed with the joint training facility in Le Luc/FRA. The first squadron equivalent is planned to be operationally ready in 2009. A total of 80 systems is planned to be procured by 2011.
A number of additional projects support the described capabilities and means of the Army or serve the survivability, the protection, the sustainability of the troops and their mobility in operations. In connection with the TIGER support helicopter there are new or improved air transport means to be mentioned here which also contribute to air mobility/mechanization of the Army. The Light Transport Helicopter LTH Army/NH90 of the EUROCOPTER Company will succeed the old Bell UH-ID. In addition to classic transport missions it can be furnished with mission equipment packages for command and control, reconnaissance or suppression of enemy air defence. The new system has a pay­load of 2 tons, highly sophisticated equipment, processor-based avionics, and a high availabilty. By 2013, 80 NH90 are to be procured for the Army as well as 42 for the Air Force. There is meanwhile a delay in the deliveries of more than 30 months. 28 LTH are said to be delivered by the end of 2008.
The CH-53 Medium Transport Helicopter flies as a “workhorse” in air transport missions since 1967. In Afghanistan the support of the troops, especially at remote locations, is not possible without this helicopter. The strain on the flight equipment, which is intended to be used until 2030, is thus rather high. By 2012 the inventory will be reduced to 80 systems. These will then be kept operationally ready through maintenance measures for the cell structure, the electrical installation and the conversion of the engines. As from 2009 to 2014 modernization will be effected for 40 weapon systems in order to be able to employ them in a future-oriented way in combination with the above stated helicopters. This “CH-53 product improvement” by the EUROCOPTER Company includes e.g. the digitization of the cockpit, interoperable communication and navigation means, defensive electronic warfare equipment and an automatic hover flight system. A new larger Future Transport Helicopter is necessary, but will be long in coming until the replacement of CH-53. The planning for that was initiated; the international cooperation has started. At the present time, a model of a heavy transport helicopter of the Sikorsky Company would be the likely choice; it would provide a higher load, but not a larger volume in space.
The protection and the mobility of the forces on the ground are to be considerably and rapidly improved by new projects. Terror attacks in the areas of operations make the importance of the project evident. Basic goal is to guarantee the forces in any area of operations the same level of protection, if possible. With the vehicle types MUNGO, WIESEL 1 and 2, DINGO 1 and 2 the Army has means at its disposal, which grant a high tactical mobility and threat-related protection in operations. In recent terror attacks it was possible to save lives through the use of DINGO vehicles. However, the present procurements do not by far meet the requirements in the missions yet.
The projects “Protected Command and Multi-function Vehicles” (PCMV) and “Protected Transport Vehicles” (PTV) are to optimally meet the overall demand of the armed forces by way of different platforms. In total the number of such vehicles required in the Bundeswehr would amount to several thousands. For the time being it is intended to procure about 5,500 PCMV/PTV of which 2,500 vehicles are ear­marked for the Army. The PTV comprises primarily logistic transport means, which are to be delivered as from 2009.
The PCMV will replace the unprotected M 113, the 2-ton trucks as well as unprotected or insufficiently protected small-size vehicles like the 0.5-ton WOLF truck. The PCMV segment was divided into four differentiated classes, which differ above all in the air transportability of the vehicles. Additional significant criteria are the ballistic and mine protection, payload and cargo volume. Other requirements apply to all classes, for instance: NBC protection, self defence under protection or standards in respect to command capability, mobility, and ranges. The protection against improvised explosive devices (IED) was taken up subsequently. The Bundeswehr is conducting vehicle-technical and function-related studies since 2006 with a different number of demonstration/compliance models in the four PCMV classes. A decisive selection criterion for all PCMVs is a quick procurement of the required number of units from the market for the current missions of the armed forces.
The PCMV classes 1 and 2 are to cover the segment of protected small vehicles for command control, transport and functional tasks. The introduction is scheduled for late 2008. Selected in Class 2 was the EAGLE IV of the Swiss MOWAG Company. In PCMV Class 1 – air transportable in CH 53 – three remaining types continue to be tested; now the procurement cannot start before 2010. Apart from multifunc­tion/transport vehicles Class 3 this comprises for the Army primarily patrol/security vehicles. This is going to be realized as of 2008 with the DINGO 2 (KMW Company) and DURO (RLS Company) vehicles. Considered in Class 4 are the WISENT of RLS and the GRIZZLY of KMW as large-capacity vehicles, which are placed between DINGO 2 and BOXER.
An improvement in mobility will come about through the German-Dutch development project “Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge 2” (AVLB 2). It is going to be the most modern and most innovative armored vehicle launched bridge system of the world. The AVLB 2 with the Military Load Class (MLC) 70 has a modular design so that it is possible to lay bridges of a width of 8, 16 or 25 m. The laying time for the 25 m bridge is 15 minutes. This bridging equipment is constructed by the RLS Company, this time on the chassis of the LEOPARD 2 of KMW. At present there is one demonstrator available. The procurement is planned as of 2010.
In the field of protection, additional projects were started with utmost vigor due to the mission reality. As to the protection of installations/objects it is considered to consolidate all threat-related technical surveillance/monitoring means, effectors and operating forces in the area. For this purpose, studies are conducted on a so-called “testbed bivouac protection” project in order to create the technological prerequisites for the coordination of funds. The goal is an optimal design of the protection for an installation/facility. Depending on the situation it is then intended to quickly procure and employ suitable, available products.
The protection of convoys has presently even gained in importance. Suicide attacks as well as attacks with improvised explosive devices (IED) are a permanent threat in especially Afghanistan . Several measures have already been taken as, for example, additional training and protected vehicles up to the protection of electronic jamming systems. These could suppress the release of remotely radio actuated explosive devices. Additional systems are tested and are to follow. The mobile and protected EORCTS (explosive ordnance reconnaissance and clearance traveling system) is to detect all types of explosive ordnance, neutralize the function mode/operation principle, trigger the release, if necessary, and then clear the explosive by means of a “crane jib”. This is also to be carried out unmanned that is remotely controlled. One can thus speak of a kind of a “large TEODOR explosive ordnance disposal tank” which neutralized the IED completely and not only temporarily. One is still in the exploration phase, but one hopes for a quick realization to get the best protection for the deployed forces.
Other projects are: stationary detection systems for riflemen by which snipers can be detected fully automatically up to a distance of 1,500 m through acoustic locating after their firing shots with small-caliber ammunition. One system is employed in Afghanistan . The technical feasibility of a mobile system is presently studied. Both systems are to be procured soon. Also studied is an optical system for preventive locating of snipers. This device is to locate the optical sighting equipment of snipers up to a range of 1,500 m. The Friend/ Foe Target Identification equipment is to im­prove the protection and effectiveness of the friendly forces. This joint, interservice project is to be introduced in different variants – vehicles and dismounted soldiers – as of 2015. Protected weapon stations for the majority of the vehicles of the Bundeswehr were already mentioned.

Outlook

When looking at the German Army it becomes obvious that it is set up well. Inner structures, training and part of the equipment are all right. It is important to comprehend the Army as an overall system, with its major formations as significant system pools. Only if the different sub-capabilities of all elements of this major system – and thus also the large number of the described important armament projects of the Army – are largely covered will the required operability of the total Army be achieved. However, the delivery speed of the equipment and retrofittings, respectively, leaves some questions open. The simultaneousness of several major projects of the Bundeswehr and Army will continue to cause long running times of many projects and a commitment of funds up to or even beyond the year 2020. Old equipment will have to be kept in use, cause double expenditure and induce high costs in maintenance. With a step-by-step proceeding it will not be possible at all to reach the aim of the “train and organize as you fight”. Extensive process-organizational measures will continue to be necessary to generate suitable forces for the missions. The quantity frames in the procurement will get smaller with respective risk sources. It will be significant to shape the procurement volumes in such a way that opera­tional requirements and aspects of the arms industry can be satisfied. Purposeful and expedient batch sized are required for cost reasons. This is also essential to maintain the core capabilities in the German arms industry. The significance of multinational cooperation in the arms industry and in the development of European combines will increase. But “only he who has something, may pluck the strings”.
The time goes on. New technologies begin to emerge already and the Army keeps up the pace. The field of robotics was already touched with ESEIP, UAVs and MoSeS. Autonomous systems can support the operating forces in all cases where it can get dangerous and very expensive or where routine tasks have to be carried out. Based on the ELROB 2006, a perform­ance show on this subject, the ELROB 2008, will be run by the Army, the Armaments Directorate and the FGAN at the Infantry School for the second time. Additional innovative communication systems, laser weapon systems or weapons on the basis of high-power micro­waves are fields in which future-oriented armament projects are planned. And here, too, it will be necessary to make funds available. If it is possible to appropriate enough budgetary means for investments in the Bundeswehr and to make them proportionally available to the Army, the good ideas and the starts made for the procurement of the described modern armament projects will be led to success. Only in this way can missions be successfully conducted in future as well with as little losses as possible of own military personnel. With regard to the good economic situation of our Federal Republic it is to be wished that our politics would not strictly keep to the present planning figures, but, differently from the nineties, fill the “Quarry Bundeswehr” again with some “good humus”. The security of the citizens and the state is always a political goal of priority.