Digital fighting

The "Digitization of Land-Based Operations" program, abbreviated as D-LBO, equips the German Army with modern information and communication tools, making a significant contribution to ensuring the combat readiness of the Bundeswehr.

In the D-LBO program, a first operatively usable force disposition for the NATO contribution from 2025, the so-called "Division 2025," is to be implemented by the end of 2027 using the equipment variant "D-LBO basic." The associated digitization significantly improves the leadership capability of the Army. The focus of the upgrade to the equipment variant "D-LBO basic" is the exchange of hardware and software in the Army's vehicles.

Early training on the devices is essential. Therefore, this week, BWI GmbH was commissioned by the Procurement Office of the Bundeswehr for the initial training for the equipment variant "D-LBO basic."

The training of administrators and operators, as well as maintenance personnel on the new system, is closely linked to the vehicle conversion for the "Division 2025." Their training takes place before the completion of the vehicle conversions for the corresponding unit. Therefore, large training capacities are required in the Bundeswehr in parallel with the vehicle conversions to train IT specialists for the new IT equipment in a timely manner.

The contract now concluded, running until the end of 2027, secures the Bundeswehr the necessary training capacities early, which includes not only conducting the initial training but also establishing and rolling out the required training facilities. BWI GmbH will equip 36 Bundeswehr sites with D-LBO training equipment and transfer them to the Bundeswehr after commissioning. Initial training and rollout are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2025.

The expenses amounting to around 65 million euros will be covered by the Bundeswehr's special assets and the regular defense budget. The project was already approved by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag in mid-November.

BUNDESWEHR online