German defence commissioner slams delays in military digital systems

Germany's parliamentary commissioner for the armed forces has criticized slow progress in upgrading the military's digital communications systems, urging Defence Minister Boris Pistorius to take personal charge of the project.

Henning Otte told dpa that the Digitalisation of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) programme, which includes new digital radios and command systems, was of such strategic importance that it should be made a top-level priority.

Pistorius acknowledged earlier this month after talks with industry representatives that the D-LBO project was running behind schedule.

The programme aims to connect individual soldiers, vehicle systems, command vehicles and mobile command posts via secure radio links for data and voice communication. This is particularly critical for the front-line units during combat.

Otte said meeting the military's digitalization goals was critical for troops in the field, calling the handling of the project and its consequences unacceptable. He said the problems had been known for some time but addressed too late, making it a major challenge to meet the agreed targets within the planned timeframe.

Driving, communications and firepower were decisive for protection and speed on the battlefield and therefore vital for survival, Otte added.