The Bundeswehr has signed a framework agreement with EuroSpike GmbH “Supplementary Procurement MELLS – III. Los" for the delivery of new weapons systems MELLS (multi-role capable light guided missile system) and the associated anti-tank guided missiles. This was published by the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) on the EuropeanTendering platform TED.
Closed A "Framework agreement on the supplementary procurement of 11,500 MELLS guided missiles including transport and storage containers and 214 MELLS weapon systems including transport and storage containers with backpacks for the weapon systems and carrying frames for the guided missiles. A minimum purchase of 1,500 guided missiles and 132 weapon systems with the respective accessories is planned.”
MELLS is distributed in Europe by Eurospike GmbH, a joint venture between Diehl Defence, Rheinmetall Electronics and Rafael. The weapon system is largely manufactured in the German parent companies Diehl and Rheinmetall with subcontractors in Europe.
MELLS in the Bundeswehr
MELLS replaces the outdated Milan anti-tank guided missile system in the Bundeswehr. The Milan has reached the end of its service life, depending on the remaining ammunition it should remain in service until 2021 at the latest. In order to extend the useful life, the practice operation was reduced.
In the Bundeswehr, for example, MELLS has been in use for several years by the Special Forces Command. With the second procurement contract, the replacement of the Milan infantry, engineer and armored infantry troops with the Marder armored personnel carrier was initiated from 2017. From 2021, MELLS will replace the TOW on the Waffenträger Wiesel. This is part of the extension of the service life of the Wiesel 1 fleet, which was approved by the Budget Committee of the Bundestag on November 6th, 2019. At the end of June 2019, Parliament approved the budget for the integration and procurement of MELLS for 41 Puma infantry fighting vehicles, which are intended for use in the VJTF 2023.
potential
MELLS currently uses the Spike LR guided missile. Thanks to the early changeover to the new generation of SPIKE weapon systems (iCLU) by the BAAINBw, various new tactical-operational possibilities will open up for a future introduction and use of the new generation of guided missiles LR 2.
The new weapon system generation (iCLU) is tailored to the technology and performance of the new guided missile LR 2, but fully supports the existing performance of the missile generation LR (downward compatible).
André Forkert and Waldemar Geiger
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