Rheinmetall Orders Safran MOSKITO and SHARPCROW Systems for Bundeswehr

Rheinmetall Electronics has placed an order with Safran Electronics & Defense for more than a thousand MOSKITO observation systems and several hundred SHARPCROW systems destined for the German Bundeswehr’s medium and heavy infantry forces, Safran announced on September 3, 2026. Rheinmetall Electronics placed the order in its capacity as prime contractor of the Bundeswehr’s Infanterist der Zukunft soldier modernization program.

Under the contract, Safran Electronics & Defense will deliver what the company described as a significant volume of optronic systems. The order builds on a long-standing collaboration between the two companies, according to the announcement.

Systems and Roles

The MOSKITO is a compact, lightweight multifunction observation system combining day and night vision, laser range-finding and precise target geolocation. Safran stated that it enables rapid detection, identification and localization of targets across a wide range of operational environments.

The SHARPCROW is a handheld electro-optical observation system integrating thermal imaging, low-light imaging, a direct optical day channel, target location capabilities and digital reporting functions. Together, these features provide enhanced situational awareness and support faster, more informed tactical decision-making, the company said.

Safran stated that it was selected to provide the advanced portable observation systems so that German infantry forces can better understand their environment, detect and identify targets, and quickly share critical information on the battlefield.

“This new order underscores the Bundeswehr’s confidence in our technologies and in our ability to equip the modern soldier with the advanced capabilities required for today’s land operations. We are proud that these systems will be manufactured in Germany by Safran Electronics & Defense, further strengthening our partnership with the Bundeswehr and the German defense industry,” said Marzell Schiller, CEO of Safran Electronics & Defense Germany.

Infanterist Der Zukunft Program

The Bundeswehr is accelerating the modernization of its dismounted forces through additional procurements under the Infanterist der Zukunft (“Infantryman of the Future”) soldier system, according to Safran’s announcement. The company described Infanterist der Zukunft as the German Armed Forces’ flagship infantry modernization program, aimed at enhancing soldiers’ effectiveness, survivability, command and control, mobility and endurance by equipping them with advanced, digitally connected capabilities.

The program has drawn large-scale procurement this year. On April 27, 2026, Rheinmetall announced that the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) had placed a call-off order with Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH for additional IdZ-ES (“Infantry Soldier of the Future – Enhanced System”) soldier systems under a framework agreement. That contract covers the modernisation of existing systems and the delivery of 237 additional platoon systems and is worth €1.04 billion gross, with deliveries scheduled between November 2027 and December 2029.

According to Rheinmetall, one platoon system mainly comprises 35 individual soldier systems and platoon equipment of peripheral components consisting of advanced IT equipment, optics, optronics, and military clothing, protection and carrying equipment. As general contractor, Rheinmetall is responsible for the system and coordinates the contribution of more than 30 subcontractors. Once the April call-off is fulfilled, an additional 8,600 soldiers will receive the IdZ-ES system, bringing the Bundeswehr’s total to 353 platoon systems comprising over 12,000 individual sets of equipment, Rheinmetall stated.

Rheinmetall also stated that in February 2025, BAAINBw signed a framework contract with it for the procurement of additional IdZ-ES systems, with a maximum value of €3.1 billion gross, running until the end of 2030. That framework already included a firm order for the modernisation of 68 systems already in use and the procurement of 24 new platoon systems worth around €417 million gross. Rheinmetall described the framework contract as the largest of its kind to date for both Rheinmetall and BAAINBw, and said the German Bundestag had approved €1.3 billion for the project, with further call-offs expected.

The modernised design status eliminates all technically obsolete components and implements communication and data exchange capabilities with different vehicle platforms, Rheinmetall stated. With the revised base hardware, the soldier system is connected via the vehicle platform to the Digitisation of Land-based Operations (D-LBO) information and communications network, and conditions for direct connection to D-LBO have been established.

Prior Safran-Rheinmetall Cooperation

The new order follows a broader procurement framework between the two suppliers. On September 24, 2025, Safran and Rheinmetall announced that Safran Electronics & Defense and Rheinmetall Electronics had signed a framework agreement at the DSEI exhibition in London, covering technologies including navigation systems for GNSS-denied environments, atomic clock timeservers, and vehicles and handheld optronics. The companies stated that the flexible framework allows them to manage upcoming orders quickly and adapt to evolving defense needs, and that it simplifies logistics and administration.

At the time, the companies said Rheinmetall Electronics had already ordered navigation and timing products from Safran, such as Versasynch, under the more efficient procurement enabled by the agreement. The companies described the partnership as supporting France and Germany’s shared commitment to building a competitive and innovative European defense industry.

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the aviation, defense and space markets, with more than 110,000 employees and revenue of €31.3 billion in 2025, according to the company. Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices. Safran Electronics & Defense, the unit holding the order, operates in the aerospace, defense and space sectors and employs 19,000 people across five continents, with activities spanning avionics, critical electronics, optronics, inertial navigation, precise timing, guidance, actuation, flight controls, satellite engines, and artificial intelligence.