The German Bundeswehr has placed an order with the Düsseldorf-based RHEINMETALL Group to supply it with state-of-the-art infantry equipment. A contract to this effect has now been signed at the Federal Agency for Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) in Koblenz.

Under the initial order, a total of 900 soldiers (90 infantry sections or squads) will be outfitted with the new equipment. Specially developed by RHEINMETALL on behalf of the Bundeswehr, it is the most advanced system of its kind anywhere. Units due to deploy to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014 will be the first to be equipped with Gladius. This forward-looking system is an important step in the process of providing German infantry troops with significantly improved capabilities in current and future deployments.