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Reinforcement of the Bundeswehr’s Puma Fleet: Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland to Supply 200 Infantry Fighting Vehicles to the German Army – Contract Value Around €4.2 Billion

Monday, December 22nd, 2025

It has commissioned Projekt System & Management GmbH (PSM), a joint venture between Rheinmetall and KNDS Deutschland (KNDS), to supply 200 Puma Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). The corresponding amendment to the existing framework contract has now been signed at the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) in Koblenz. The contract will take legal effect in January 2026. The total gross volume of the procurement is €4,2 billion gross of which KNDS will receive €2.1 billion and €2.1 billion will go to the Rheinmetall subsidiary Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH. Both companies are implementing the project as subcontractors. The first vehicles are scheduled for delivery in mid-2028.

In May 2023, the BAAINBw awarded PSM GmbH a framework contract for the delivery of the Puma IFVs, with an initial order for the first 50 vehicles upon signing the contract. This contract has now been enlarged. In addition to the 200 combat vehicles ordered to date, the contract also includes the procurement of corresponding protection modules and storage containers. Furthermore, a contract amendment for the S2 construction status is planned for mid-2026. The aim is to eliminate obsolescence and implement additional capabilities such as drone defence, based on the turret of the Jackal armoured vehicle.

The Puma IFV is the primary weapon system of the German armoured infantry and is one of the world’s most powerful and modern systems of its kind. It can accommodate a crew of nine, including the commander, the gunner and the driver, as well as a unit of six soldiers. In addition to its highly effective modular protection, the Puma has a unique level of assertiveness and the capability to be deployed in networked operations.

Between 2023 and 2024, the BAAINBw commissioned the comprehensive modernisation of 297 Puma IFVs from the Bundeswehr’s stocks that do not yet comply with the S1 series standard. The retrofit, which will be completed in 2029, includes the integration of high-resolution day and night vision camera systems, the multi-role light guided missile system (MELLS in German) and the integration of digital radio equipment.

Posted in Armoured Vehicles, Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Largest Order for Laser-Light-Modules: Rheinmetall to Supply LLM-VarioRay Units for the Bundeswehr’s New Assault Rifle – Order Value Several Hundred Million Euros

Monday, December 22nd, 2025

The Bundeswehr has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply Laser-Light-Modules for the German Armed Forces. Following the budget approval by the German Bundestag’s Budget Committee on 3 December 2025, the first definitive call-off has now been made under the framework agreement concluded in June 2021. This agreement entails the delivery of ‘LLM-VarioRay’ Laser-Light-Modules, scheduled for delivery over the next seven years. In addition, there is the option to procure further LLM-VR modules. These can be delivered additionally within the agreed time frame. This fixed call-off has a net order intake of several hundred million Euro for Rheinmetall. The devices are manufactured by Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics in Stockach at Lake Constance. This is the largest order intake in the history of the Rheinmetall subsidiary.

“We are grateful for the trust that the Bundeswehr has placed in our battle-proven tactical combat enhancers”, said Erkan Yildirim, CEO of Rheinmetall Soldier Electronics. “The LLM-VarioRay is one of our most versatile devices. The largest order in our company’s history is an incentive for us to continue delivering cutting-edge technology. Provided that the customer places a corresponding call-off, we could also deliver the additional optional quantity within the agreed period of seven years. This would provide both the Bundeswehr and us at Rheinmetall with planning security”.
The Rheinmetall LLM-VarioRay Laser-Light-Module is part of the latest generation of devices of this type. The Laser-Light-Modules are primarily used on the handguns of the infantry and dismounted forces, and serve to detect, identify and mark targets.

Weighing approximately 250 grams, including its mount, the LLM-VarioRay can be attached to any assault rifle via a MIL-STD 1913 rail/STANAG 4694 and can be operated via a trigger cable. It features a powerful white light LED, a red-light laser marker, an infrared laser marker and an electrically focusable infrared illuminator. The light source can be selected and adjusted stepless using a rotary switch. The device is equipped with a fully integrated, factory-aligned laser block. This laser block allows for easy adjustment and alignment of the visor and the weapon.

Equipped with night vision and thermal imaging devices, the German Armed Forces can thus accomplish their missions throughout the entire spectrum of operations, regardless of day- or night-time and in all weather conditions.

The LLM-VarioRay product family is also part of the German soldier system ‘Future Soldier – Extended System (IdZ-ES)’ and is likewise used in the British Army as the Laser-Light-Module MK3 and in the Swiss Army as the Laser-Light-Module 19.

Rheinmetall’s product portfolio encompasses a wide range of infantry equipment, including various targeting and illumination modules. These were developed in order to increase the tactical value of modern handguns. The LM-VTAL (Laser Module – Variable Tactical Aiming Laser) has been in operation at the Bundeswehr’s special operation forces for several years.

Posted in Contracts, International, Lights, Press Release, Weapon Accessories | No Comments »

GoTAK and Solace Communications Deliver Next Generation C4ISR Capabilities in Central Africa with TAK OS

Monday, December 22nd, 2025

GoTAK is proud to highlight a recent operational deployment delivered in partnership with Solace Communications, bringing a full TAK OS enabled C4ISR capability and mission-focused training to an allied partner force in Central Africa.

This deployment demonstrates how TAK OS, when paired with resilient communications, integrated sensors, and operator-led training, transitions from a platform into a field-proven operational capability—supporting situational awareness and mission execution under real-world conditions.

Fielding TAK OS in Operational Environments

Over the course of recent deployments, Solace Communications successfully fielded an integrated C4ISR stack built around TAK OS, delivering a common operating picture directly to operators and commanders in the field. The capability included:

Cloud-hosted and local TAK OS environments
Resilient connectivity via GlobalLink
Live UAS ISR feeds delivered directly to operators’ EUDs
Edge-based AI object detection and sensor integration
A fused, real-time intelligence picture via Solace Fusion

From the GoTAK perspective, this deployment reflects the intended design philosophy of TAK OS: a networked operational layer that connects sensors, operators, and decision-makers across multiple transport paths and environments.

Proven Capability, Moving Toward TRL 9

The system operated as a fully integrated capability under field conditions, supporting sustained situational awareness and mission execution. As a result, Solace Communications has demonstrated TRL 8 across this integrated architecture, with planned upgrades already underway to advance toward TRL 9 through continued operational use.

These upgrades include transitioning deployed GlobalLink units to the Pro configuration, adding:

Local server hosting and off-grid power
Local TAK OS hosting for disconnected operations
LTE and SATCOM failover connectivity
Direct integration with MANET radios

This architecture reduces latency, removes dependence on backhaul connectivity, and enables sustained operations in disconnected, denied, and degraded environments.

Training That Enables Sustained Operations

Alongside capability delivery, Solace Communications provided end-to-end TAK OS and MANET training, deliberately structured to move beyond basic familiarization. Training tiers included:

Foundational instruction for operators new to TAK OS and MANET

Advanced configuration and network management for technical staff
Train-the-trainer modules to support independent sustainment and scale

This approach ensures TAK OS is not just deployed, but understood, trusted, and operationally owned by the teams using it.

A Shared Vision for Operational TAK

This Central Africa deployment highlights the strength of the partnership between GoTAK and Solace Communications. When TAK OS is combined with resilient transport, edge processing, and real-world training, it becomes a force multiplier—extending situational awareness at the edge and beyond, across time, distance, and connectivity constraints.

From integrated ISR feeds to fused intelligence and resilient communications, this deployment underscores what can be achieved when TAK capabilities are delivered by teams who understand operational reality.

GoTAK looks forward to continuing our collaboration with Solace Communications as TAK OS capabilities expand into new environments and mission sets.

Posted in Comms, International, ISR, Press Release, TAK | No Comments »

Textron Systems’ Tsunami Autonomous Maritime Surface Vessel Sold To NIWC PAC

Sunday, December 21st, 2025

TSUNAMI™ Vessel Provides Capability for Scale, Maturity and Capacity

HUNT VALLEY, Md., Dec. 17, 2025 – Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that it has sold a 21-ft. TSUNAMI™ USV to the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific (PAC) to support the testing of the Maritime Digital Experimentation Federation (MDEF) – an Australia, United Kingdom, and United States (AUKUS) testing initiative to distribute testing of interoperability standards with uncrewed vehicles. The order includes the state-of-the-art TSUNAMI craft and engineering and training support.

The TSUNAMI family of autonomous maritime surface vessels are designed to meet the needs of the U.S. Navy and its allies for a readily available, versatile portfolio of multi-mission uncrewed assets to team effectively across the fleet. Utilizing Brunswick Corporation’s reliable, high-performance vessels, Textron Systems developed the TSUNAMI family of products with its trusted CUSV® vessel-based autonomy control system. The TSUNAMI family of vessels offer several variants to meet diverse mission requirements, including size, speed and range. Our solution leverages mature commercial technologies to deliver increased capacity and immediate scale.

“The TSUNAMI craft provide the Navy with a rapidly deployable, fully autonomous solution to support their missions,” said Senior Vice President, Air, Land and Sea Systems David Phillips. “Our expertise in designing and fielding trusted autonomous solutions results in a family of small, uncrewed surface vehicles (sUSVs) that are scalable, modular in design and globally sustainable, allowing for maximum mission flexibility in an attritable system.”

The order follows the recent sale of a 24-ft. vessel to the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Dahlgren Division. The TSUNAMI family is a low-cost, rapidly deployable solution that pairs Textron Systems’ 40+ years of multi-domain autonomous vehicle experience with the capacity and maturity of the U.S. commercial shipbuilding industry’s manufacturing and design capabilities.

Posted in Contracts, Maritime, Press Release, UxS | No Comments »

Gun Tote’n Mamas Launches its Classic Clutch in New Distressed Buffalo Caramel Color

Saturday, December 20th, 2025

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – December 16, 2025 – Award-winning Gun Tote’n Mamas® (GTM), the leading provider of women’s protection solutions, is excited to announce the new GTM-CZY/22CRML Clutch. Crafted from exclusive distressed full-grain buffalo leather designed by GTM, this purse blends rugged luxury, durability and function in a timeless GTM silhouette. Available now in the long awaited rich Distressed Buffalo Caramel color.

GTM does more than make bags. As a champion of women’s protection, the brand creates essential tools that help women live boldly and stay prepared without sacrificing personal style. The new GTM-CZY/22 is built for women who want protection and style in a form that fits seamlessly into everyday life.

“Our classic clutch is designed to give women the confidence and readiness they count on,” said Claudia Chisholm, president of Gun Tote’n Mamas. “We are ecstatic to have our long awaited new Distressed Buffalo color in Warm Distressed Caramel! This leather adds a distinctive touch while delivering the strength, security and beautiful style women expect from GTM.”

Product Features:

Ambidextrous design with flapover closure, magnetic snap and secure top-entry zipper
Removable chained tassel that marks the firearm draw side for fast access
Distressed full-grain buffalo leather that softens with use
Front zippered organizer compartment
Main compartment with one open pocket and one zippered pocket
Khaki GTM logo lining for clear interior visibility
Padded gun compartment
Three-sided zipper opening for top, side or angled draw
Standard GTM holster included
Slash-resistant shoulder strap reinforced with 11-ply wire
Adjustable strap for crossbody or shoulder wear with quick clip-on/off design
Overall bag size – 10? (W) × 8? (H) × 3.5? (D)

MSRP: $169.95

The GTM-CZY/22 Distressed Buffalo Clutch is in stock and ready to ship at gtmoriginal.com.

GTM remains committed to prioritizing women’s protection. For more information, visit gtmoriginal.com or call 847-446-0700 Ext. 105.

Posted in For the Ladies, Holsters, Press Release | No Comments »

Quantum Systems Acquires FERNRIDE

Friday, December 19th, 2025

As part of its expansion into a multi-domain provider, Quantum Systems acquires FERNRIDE and integrates solutions for ground autonomy.

Gilching, 17 December 2025: Quantum Systems, Europe’s market leader in AI-powered unmanned systems, today announced the acquisition of FERNRIDE. With the acquisition of FERNRIDE, Quantum Systems is expanding its leadership position from air and software intelligence to autonomous ground mobility, creating a connected, cross-domain offering for intelligent unmanned systems.

FERNRIDE offers an industry-proven software platform for ground autonomy in the areas of container terminals, defence logistics, yard operations and autonomous driving. The technology is already in use by well-known customers. In 2025, FERNRIDE became the first company to obtain TÜV approval for autonomous trucks in Europe, has already used them in initial tests with the German Armed Forces and expanded its portfolio to include defence logistics.

‘FERNRIDE has developed one of the most advanced and scalable autonomous ground platforms,’ said Martin Karkour, Chief Revenue Officer of Quantum Systems. ‘By integrating their technology into MOSAIC UXS, we are consistently implementing our vision of creating a connected ecosystem in which unmanned systems think, move and act as a single entity across different dimensions.’

‘Europe urgently needs sovereign autonomy solutions. By joining forces with Quantum Systems, we can take our technology to a new level,’ said Hendrik Kramer, CEO and co-founder of FERNRIDE. ‘Together with Quantum Systems, we are accelerating the deployment of our platform in the European defence sector, which is currently the most urgent environment globally for scaling autonomous ground systems. In the future, this experience will also be transferred back to civilian logistics applications,m making our society safer and more resilient.’

Quantum Systems’ operational experience in Ukraine has demonstrated the relevance of the interaction between air and ground robotics. The integration of FERNRIDE solutions into MOSAIC UXS, Quantum Systems’ autonomous mission software, is intended to enable multi-domain operations that improve situational awareness and decision-making. Quantum Systems’ operational experience in Ukraine has demonstrated the relevance of the interaction between air and ground robotics. The integration of FERNRIDE solutions into MOSAIC UXS, Quantum Systems’ autonomous mission software, is intended to enable multi-domain operations that improve situational awareness and decision-making.

No details regarding the financial aspects of the acquisition will be disclosed.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release, Robotics | No Comments »

FS Holdings Appoints Industry Veteran Lynn Twiss as Vice President of Marketing for FS Holdings and FirstSpear

Friday, December 19th, 2025

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Dec. 22, 2025) – FS Holdings, the parent organization for FirstSpear®, FirstSpear Technology Group®, Atlas 46®, and Black Crest®, today announced the appointment of Lynn Twiss as Vice President of Marketing. In this dual-role capacity, Twiss will drive overarching leadership and brand strategy for the FS Holdings family of brands while maintaining direct leadership as Vice President of Marketing for the flagship brand, FirstSpear.

This strategic appointment marks a significant milestone in the organization’s growth and is aligned with the holding group’s core ethos: “Protect, Serve, and Build.”

Twiss brings over three decades of marketing leadership experience in the firearms, military, and outdoor industries. As the founder of GUNLAND LLC, he has served as a strategic architect for some of the most recognized brands in the space. His career includes pivotal roles such as helping rebuild Kimber from early bankruptcy into a premier firearms manufacturing brand, and key leadership positions at Leupold & Stevens and SIG SAUER Electro-Optics, where he oversaw the marketing launch of the BDX (Ballistic Data Xchange) system and supported critical military contract wins.

His arrival signals a decisive move to better align the commercial, industrial, and defense verticals of the company and focus them on coherent, long-term growth.

“As we continue to reinforce our existing footprint across ground, maritime, aviation and industrial domains, it is critical that our voice is as powerful and precise as our technology,” said Scott Carver, CEO of FS Holdings. “Lynn has spent the last year and a half embedded with our teams as a mentor and advisor, so this move into a full-time executive role is a natural fit. He combines an understanding of the defense sector with the ability to build demand for our lifestyle and industrial brands. He understands that while FirstSpear is ‘Built for The X™,’ the broader mission of the group is to ‘Protect, Serve, and Build’ across every aspect of our customers’ lives.”

“FirstSpear is built on a foundation of uncompromising quality and innovation. That same seriousness runs through the broader FS Holdings portfolio, even though it shows up in very different forms,” said Lynn Twiss. “An operator stepping off with FirstSpear kit, an MRO tradesman starting a shift in Atlas 46, or someone choosing Black Crest for their day-to-day are all facing different kinds of stakes, but they share the same expectation that when the moment turns critical, the gear will not be the point of failure.

For most of my career I have worked beside product and design teams that obsess over details a customer may never notice directly, but will always feel. That is the discipline I want to support here. My focus is to help each brand push further in its own lane, to keep earning trust through performance, and to let the work speak first. If we do that well, the stories will follow.”

In this role, Twiss will oversee global marketing operations, brand architecture, and digital transformation across the portfolio. He will be responsible for articulating the distinct identities of the sub-brands while leveraging their shared technologies and values to drive cross-market growth.

About FS Holdings

FS Holdings is a U.S.-based portfolio company focused on equipping professionals across military, law enforcement, industrial, and lifestyle markets. Through its brands FirstSpear, FirstSpear Technology Group, Atlas 46, and Black Crest, the group applies technical innovation, advanced materials, and design expertise to create products that “Protect, Serve, and Build.”

About FirstSpear

Founded in 2010, FirstSpear® equips elite military and law enforcement professionals with uncompromising equipment for those bound for “The X.” Guided by its “Built for The X™” ethos, FirstSpear produces lightweight, mission-focused equipment engineered for the most demanding operational environments.

About Atlas 46

Founded in 2013, Atlas 46 manufactures premium, USA Made gear for tradespeople, MRO professionals, and mechanics. With modular innovation and industrial-grade craftsmanship, Atlas 46 delivers high-performance solutions built to meet professional standards.

About Black Crest

Black Crest is a men’s athleisure brand combining design sensibility with everyday comfort and style. The brand offers technical performance apparel for life beyond the mission, designed in the United States and manufactured to exacting standards internationally.

Posted in Advertiser, Industry, Press Release | No Comments »

CZ to Supply Pistols to the German Army

Friday, December 19th, 2025

Uhersky Brod, Czech Republic (December 19, 2025)

Ceska zbrojovka a.s. (CZ) has achieved one of the most significant milestones in its history. The German Army (Bundeswehr) has selected a CZ pistol as its new standard sidearm.

“We are honored that the German Bundeswehr has chosen CZ as itspartner. Our success in this rearmament tender is one of the most significant achievements in CZ’s modern history. It clearly confirmsthe outstanding reputation our firearms have earned through active deployment in real combat conditions. We look forward to a long-term cooperation with the Bundeswehr and to fulfilling all its requirements in line with the contract,” said Jan Zajic, CEO and Chairman of the Board of CZ.

CZ was awarded this contract following an open international tender, prevailing over several global competitors. The pistols designated as P13 for the Bundeswehr are based on the CZ P-10 C OR (Optics-Ready) model, featuring a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) finish. It is a modern striker-fired service pistol designed for professional use, renowned for its reliability, durability, and intuitive handling. It features excellent ergonomics, high magazine capacity, and precise construction, making it a preferred choice among military and law enforcement customers in many countries.

CZ will work closely with its authorized partner in Germany, POL-TEC GmbH & Co., to fulfil the contract and provide comprehensive support to the Bundeswehr.

A Tradition of Quality and Innovation

CZ is a leading European manufacturer of firearms for military, law enforcement, and commercial customers, with a tradition dating back to 1936. CZ products are exported to nearly 100 countries worldwide. Through close cooperation with experts and elitemilitary and police units, CZ develops its firearms to meet the evolving needs of modern military and law enforcement forces. CZis a proud member of Colt CZ Group SE.

Posted in Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | 5 Comments »