The Austrian Armed Forces recently ordered decontamination systems from Kärcher Futuretech decontamination systems and equipment for the Austrian Air Force.. These orders are worth tens of millions of euros. Militär Aktuell spoke to Managing Director Markus Barner.
Mr. Barner, congratulations on the order. Which systems or devices are involved exactly?
The systems include the latest technology vacuum decontamination module for sensitive equipment as well as several components for decontaminating people, infrastructure, equipment and vehicles. Once delivered, the Austrian armed forces will have a state-of-the-art, mobile and rapidly deployable solution at their disposal. The module for decontaminating people, for example, can be set up within a very short space of time. The customer’s requirements focused on mobility and air transportability. We are therefore developing particularly lightweight individual modules that can be used with the helicopter in rough terrain or in urban areas that cannot be reached with the existing equipment. It is also possible to transport the modules inside transport aircraft.
How did this specific order come about?
The Austrian Armed Forces already use systems from Kärcher Futuretech, including the ABC decontamination vehicle Mammut. The Mammut was purchased in 2017 as part of a government-to-government deal by the German Armed Forces and adapted to the requirements concept of the German Armed Forces. The system was introduced in the Bundeswehr under the name TEP 90. The system can be used to decontaminate people, weapons and equipment, as well as infrastructure and sensitive equipment. The 36-ton vehicle enables the simultaneous decontamination of personnel as well as weapons and equipment. The procurement of the mobile, lightweight decontamination systems is a logical further development of the tried and tested Mammut, which is already being used successfully by the Austrian Armed Forces. These new systems are particularly impressive due to their air deployability, which makes it possible to act quickly and effectively even in densely populated areas. They were selected due to their compatibility and system similarity with the Mammut in order to enable seamless integration and a smooth system transition. The repair, maintenance, supply and logistics of all decontamination systems used by the Austrian Armed Forces must also be taken into account.
What does the process look like in concrete terms, from the idea to the delivery of the product?
The process from the idea to the delivery of a product usually involves years of intensive discussions on the customer side in order to discuss and ultimately define the requirements. Clients usually also conduct market research to gain a precise understanding of needs and expectations. This information serves as the basis for the development and design of the product. During the development process, prototypes are built to test functionality and quality. After successful testing and optimization, the product is finally mass-produced and handed over to the customer.
How long have Kärcher Futuretech and the Austrian Armed Forces been working together and in what areas?
The Austrian Armed Forces and Kärcher Futuretech have been working together for decades in a good, long and trusting partnership. This cooperation extends across all our product areas and includes various challenging projects. We are very proud to have served the armed forces as a reliable supplier for such a long time and to enjoy the trust of the armed forces. We will of course continue to strive to deliver high-quality products and solutions in order to contribute to the safety and effectiveness of the troops. This is both an incentive and an obligation for us.
In an interview, you once described Kärcher Futuretech as the “global leader in military contamination systems”. Which military do you still produce for?
As the world’s leading supplier of military decontamination systems, we supply our products to various armed forces around the world. However, due to the sensitive nature of these NBC protection systems and their importance to national security, we cannot disclose exact information about which military we produce for. Our priority is to ensure the protection and safety of our customers and to meet their requirements.
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