Bundeswehr Greenlights Digital Radios from Rohde & Schwarz, Thales Appeal Rejected
In a recent legal decision, the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court gave its approval for the German armed forces to equip themselves with digital radios from Rohde & Schwarz. The Munich-based company won the contentious multibillion-euro contract, leaving Thales Group empty-handed and appealing the decision. However, the appeal was deemed inadmissible due to the two-week time limit violation, as per the court's ruling.
The Higher Regional Court also suggested that the court would likely not have succeeded in the content-related challenge, as the German government had changed its approach to digitalizing the Bundeswehr following Russia's violation of international law. The government had bypassed a lengthy procurement process and granted the contract directly, which was allowed due to the Act against Restraints of Competition.
The specifics of the arrangement, such as the number of devices and whether the rumored order volume is accurate, remain classified as secret, as confirmed by sources involved in the process. Media reports suggesting that the digital devices may not fit into the vehicles were dismissed by Lieutenant General Michael Vetter.
Vetter stated that the dimensions had been tested and specified for 200 different vehicle types. The difficulty in installation was primarily due to safety requirements, ensuring that the digital radios would not pose a danger to the vehicle's crew in the event of an enemy attack.
Thales' lawyer, Jan Byok, argued that the direct award of the contract was primarily aimed at supporting and promoting the domestic defense industry. However, the court did not address this particular argument in its decision.
Further Reading
Insightful Details Implied but Not Stated
- The German Defense industry received a significant boost after the one-billion-euro contract for digital radios was awarded to Rohde & Schwarz, a Munich-based company.
- The dispute over the contract was met with controversy, with some questioning the direct award of the contract to support the domestic defense industry.
- The court did not consider the merits of Thales' argument that the government's action aimed to promote domestic defense industries like Rohde & Schwarz.
- The German government's shift in its digitalization strategy for the Bundeswehr following Russia's attack on Ukraine was a critical factor in granting the contract directly to Rohde & Schwarz.
- Classified information on the number of devices and order volumes is being closely guarded, with sources unwavering in their confidentiality concerning these details.
- The Bundeswehr’s digitalization strategy involves a radical shift, necessitating the modernization of its overall communications and digital command & control system. This includes the use of the latest technology from companies like Rohde & Schwarz.
