Cologne: The German army has received parliamentary approval to buy an initial batch of Elbit-made PULS rocket artillery systems, a decision that could see Berlin look to European munitions suppliers in the future.
The move, announced just before the Christmas holidays as part of a larger raft of funding approvals for Germany’s armed forces, means the Bundeswehr can spend roughly €65 million, or $68 million, on five systems.
The PULS pick, offered by Elbit Systems in conjunction with German-French contractor KNDS, puts an end, for now, to a highly contested race for Germany’s next-generation, multiple-rocket launcher system.
Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall had pitched a competing offer, named GMARS, that came with the lineup of Lockheed’s munitions offerings, including the ubiquitous Guided MLRS rockets, baked into it.
In the end, the Lockheed-Rheinmetall offer wasn’t far enough along, a German Ministry of Defence spokesman said.
“A usable prototype was not available,” the spokesman said.
The decision in favour of PULS is meant to deepen cooperation between German artillery forces and those of the neighbouring Netherlands, which has previously purchased the Israeli product and whose contract provides a piggybacking option for Germany’s impending buy.
“The Dutch army is deeply integrated into German army structures, and the use of a common weapon system will enable further cooperation,” the spokesman wrote in response to a reporter’s questions.
The PULS, which is short for Precise and Universal Launching System, allows for the deployment of a national fire-control system, thereby enabling user nations to pick their own munition types for integration, the spokesman added.
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