Rheinmetall AG, In the presence of Dr. Peter Eickenboom, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence, and his Israeli counterpart, Pinchas Buchris, representatives of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. (IAI) and Rheinmetall Defence signed a far-reaching agreement at the Paris Air Show.
The two firms are cooperating closely in the development of a reconnaissance and strike system network using loitering munition (LM) assets of the latest generation for operational ground forces. Within the scope of this network, an integrated capability to precisely locate and engage specific targets will be achieved.
The alliance between IAI, distinguished by longstanding experience with loitering attack systems, and Rheinmetall Defence, as a leading supplier of reconnaissance UAV systems in Germany, is an important milestone to establish joint activities for new market opportunities and to combine the expertise from the two firms to the benefit of the customers.
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The WABEP project envisages a network consisting of the tactical reconnaissance system KZO by Rheinmetall Defence acting together with Loitering Munitions offering strike capabilities by IAI.
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As the first programme of the new cooperation, the companies plan to implement a weapon system for standoff-capable engagement of single and pinpoint targets (German abbreviation: WABEP), as desired for procurement by the Bundeswehr.
The WABEP project envisages a network consisting of the tactical reconnaissance system KZO by Rheinmetall Defence acting together with Loitering Munitions offering strike capabilities by IAI. The two system elements (KZO and LM) are networked and deployed as an integrated system. Here the open system architecture will also allow networked solutions in conjunction with both current and future reconnaissance and effector elements.
With its capabilities for “networked recce strike”, the WABEP system meets the requirements arising from the mission scenarios being faced by the operational forces today. The system drafted by Rheinmetall Defence and IAI provides a low risk and effective solution for closing, at short notice, the capability gaps for precise and rapid action at stand-off ranges.
The parties foresee a growing market and demand for such capable systems in Europe and other markets.
