With the signing of an intergovernmental agreement between Germany and Canada, a decisive step has now been taken towards modernizing the command and control weapon deployment systems (FüWES) of all surface platforms of the German Navy. German Navy has been completed. The project marks a key milestone for the standardization of technology, digital future viability of the maritime armed forces together with the NATO-partner Canada.
Uniform IT centerpiece for all seagoing units
The FüWES is considered the “IT heart” of modern naval vessels. It links all operational and technical subsystems and is therefore a decisive factor for the combat effectiveness and command and control capability of a unit.
The aim of the project is to standardize the previously heterogeneous system landscape and to return system sovereignty to the public client. The project is being implemented as a so-called “KAT-B project” with a duration of around 25 years and a project volume of over one billion euros.
Cooperation with Canada – a joint path to greater interoperability
The system, which is to be used on all German ships and boats in future, was developed by the Royal Canadian Navy from the company Lockheed Martin Canada and has been continuously developed since then. It is characterized by high scalability, modularity, the use of standard hardware and software components and regular software updates.
As part of the intergovernmental agreement, Germany will receive extensive rights of use. The cooperation includes not only system transfer, but also joint further development, cost sharing and operational cooperation. This will strengthen interoperability within the alliance and ensure sustainable technology transfer.
Gradual implementation – initialization from 2025
Immediately after the contract is signed, an initialization phase begins in which the essential functional and technical foundations for later integration on the platforms are created. This phase also forms the basis for the prompt establishment of land-based test, reference and training facilities.
The first measures to equip selected ships and boats are planned from 2027. In the long term, all existing and future maritime surface capability carriers, including the new F127 frigate class, are to be equipped with the standardized FüWES.
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