The Hungarian Army has contracted with Rheinmetall Defence to supply it with tactical command and control systems. The company has signed a five year-framework contract with the procurement agency of the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.

Thanks to its Iniochos product line, Rheinmetall was able to overcome stiff international competition. The first order of its kind from an eastern European member of NATO, it represents an important strategic breakthrough. Moreover, the company hopes that success here will lend added impetus to other projects now underway in Hungary.

Rheinmetall has supplied comparable systems to the armies of Greece, Sweden and Spain, where they have proved highly effective. Iniochos is a family of tactical command and control systems designed for use at various echelons and in various platforms – e.g. tactical operations centres, vehicles and at individual soldier level. Systematic adherence to NATO interoperability standards characterizes every aspect of the system, greatly facilitating international peace enforcement operations, etc. This standardized system is able to provide coalition troops from several nations with a Common Relevant Operational Picture (CROP).

The first phase of the framework contract envisages equipping an entire battalion with Iniochos application software. It also entails adapting existing radio equipment to create a communications network and supplying a tool for producing cartographic data. For training purposes, systems will be supplied to two bases, and instruction provided to administrators, trainers and troops. Under the framework contract, additional equipment and services can be purchased until every unit in the Hungarian Army is equipped with the new technology.

Rheinmetall Defence supplies a wide array of defence electronics systems and software. The company's Defence Electronics division plans, develops and produces products and system solutions in close cooperation with military customers around the globe.

The range of products and services extends from reconnaissance and fire control systems to C4I technology for various echelons and scenarios. Their inclusion in a network-based environment can be tested for customers under highly realistic conditions in the company's high-tech Concept Development & Experimentation environment. Networking also constitutes an important part of the international Future Soldier programme, in which Rheinmetall Defence plays a central role. On behalf of the German Bundeswehr, for example, Rheinmetall Defence is currently developing IdZ-ES, an expanded version of its system for equipping future infantryman.

Rheinmetall
18.10.2009