Digital radios for the Bundeswehr: green light from the OLG
The Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court has given the go-ahead for the Bundeswehr to be equipped with digital radios. The major contract, which is said to be worth around one billion euros, was awarded to the Munich-based company Rohde & Schwarz. The French Thales Group was left empty-handed and lodged an appeal. On Friday, the Higher Regional Court dismissed this as inadmissible (case no. VII Verg 22/23).
The court intended to announce the reasons later in the day. The public procurement senate, chaired by Judge Christine Maimann, had already expressed formal concerns during the oral hearing. However, she said on Friday that they had also dealt with the content of the complaint.
The specific modalities are classified as secret. How many devices are involved and whether the rumored order volume of around one billion euros is correct is already classified as confidential, according to those involved in the proceedings.
The Bundeskartellamt's public procurement committee had previously rejected the challenge as unfounded. The decision is therefore legally binding.
Media reports that the digital devices do not fit into the vehicles were rejected by Lieutenant General Michael Vetter on the sidelines of the hearing. The dimensions had been tested and specified for 200 different vehicle types.
Following Russia's attack on Ukraine, which violated international law, the German government changed its approach to the digitalization of the Bundeswehr, dispensed with a lengthy procurement procedure and awarded the contract directly.
The Defense industry is actively involved in the development and production of these digital radios, as the Federal Government relies on private companies for such critical Defense processes. Despite the French Thales Group's challenge, the German Federal Government's choice of Munich-based Rohde & Schwarz for the contract was upheld by the court.
Source: www.dpa.com
