Key Takeaways

• The German army has approved the purchase of five Elbit-made PULS rocket artillery systems for €65 million.
• This decision enhances cooperation with the Netherlands, which already uses PULS systems.
• The integration of U.S. GMLRS rockets into PULS remains uncertain, pending political approval from Washington.

Germany Moves to Enhance Artillery Capabilities

The German army has received parliamentary approval to procure an initial batch of five PULS rocket artillery systems produced by Elbit Systems, totaling approximately €65 million (about $68 million USD). This move, announced just before the Christmas holidays, is part of a broader funding strategy aimed at bolstering the capabilities of the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces.

The selection of the PULS system concludes a competitive bidding process for Germany’s next-generation multiple-rocket launcher. Competing proposals from Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall, featuring the GMARS system, were ultimately deemed insufficient, primarily due to the absence of a usable prototype. A spokesperson from the German Ministry of Defense confirmed that the lack of readiness in the Lockheed-Rheinmetall proposal influenced the decision.

The acquisition of the PULS system is expected to facilitate greater cooperation between German and Dutch artillery forces. The Dutch military has already implemented the PULS system, and its existing contractual framework allows Germany to integrate this system into its operations seamlessly. A spokesperson emphasized the utility of a common weapon system for improved collaboration between the two nations, as their artillery forces are closely aligned.

The PULS system, which stands for Precise and Universal Launching System, allows for significant flexibility in armament. It features the capability to deploy a national fire-control system, enabling nations to select their preferred munitions for integration. However, whether U.S.-made GMLRS rockets—provided to Ukraine and held in NATO stockpiles—can be integrated into the PULS framework remains uncertain, requiring political support from the U.S. to proceed.

Elbit has assured German military officials that their Unitary variant of the rockets can work with the PULS system. However, previous statements from Lockheed Martin’s executives have indicated that their munitions cannot be adapted to the PULS platform. This discrepancy raises questions about the potential long-term access Germany may have to U.S. rocket systems in its defense strategy.

Amid rising demand for various munitions across Europe, both Elbit and Diehl Defence, a German company, have recently entered into a cooperation agreement focused on PULS users, particularly in Europe and Germany. The defense market in Europe is becoming increasingly competitive, with firms like MBDA also positioning themselves to capture market share in the growing sector of longer-range weaponry, critical for enhancing Europe’s deterrent capabilities against Russia.

As Germany continues to modernize its military, the decision to invest in PULS underscores a pivot in defense procurement toward European suppliers, reflecting a more integrated defense strategy within the region. The outcomes of these developments will likely shape the future landscape of European and NATO defense partnerships.

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