Nice appearance: Flares for the Bundeswehr

With the conclusion of a framework agreement with Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH yesterday, the Koblenz Procurement Office ensures the equipment of Bundeswehr aircraft with infrared decoys, known as flares, for the next six years. The project had been approved by the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag. The procurement will be financed through the regular defense budget.

The flares protect Bundeswehr aircraft by masking the hot engine exhaust gases emitted by the aircraft with a similar infrared radiation generated when fired, in order to divert incoming enemy guided missiles away from the aircraft.

Specifically, the decoys are of the types IR-BIRDIE (Bispectral Infrared Decoy Improved Efficiency) 118 BS and IR-BIRDIE 218. In total, based on the current framework agreement, up to 476,280 new decoy bodies can be ordered for around 59 million euros. The flares can be used, depending on the caliber, by helicopters such as the CH-53 or NH-90, jets like the Tornado, and transport planes like the A400M.

Delivery is expected to begin next year and cover the Bundeswehr's needs until 2029.

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