The Hellenic Army has contracted with the Dusseldorf-based Rheinmetall Group to supply electronic diagnostic systems for its Leopard 2 main battle tanks as well as command and information systems for battalion command posts.

A Group subsidiary, Rheinmetall Defence Electronics of Bremen, will execute the multi-million euro order; delivery of the systems is to be completed by 2008.

The order takes the form of a commissioning agreement issued by Germany's Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement on behalf of the Greek authorities. It is based on a government-to-government agreement between Germany and Greece concerning the sale of 183 surplus Leopard 2 main battle tanks and peripheral systems from the Bundeswehr inventory. Another Group subsidiary, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, has been assigned partial responsibility for servicing the vehicles.

Under the new contract, Rheinmetall Defence Electronics is tasked with supplying the necessary hardware and software as well as tactical and technical integration with the NATO-interoperable INIOCHOS command and information system through to battalion level.

The package also encompasses an order for diagnostic testing equipment and systems for all levels of maintenance, including the tank's laser rangefinder and thermal imaging devices as well as a complete mobile testing kit for electronic, optical and optronic components. Moreover, Rheinmetall will supply additional technology for the existing depot testing facility at Velestino, Greece.

The system can be used to test the fire control components of a wide cross section of combat vehicles, including the M48 and Leopard 1 as well as Greece's newly acquired Leopard 2.

Thanks to its subsidiary Rheinmetall Defence Electronics, the Rheinmetall Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of network-enabled reconnaissance and command systems as well as fire control technology.

Rheinmetall
15.09.2006