Bundeswehr completes first D-LBO operational test

German soldiers share digital situation images on mobile devices as part of the D-LBO rollout. (Bundeswehr)

Phase 1 operational testing of Rohde & Schwarz's Soveron VR 5500 vehicle radio and HR 5500 handheld radio was completed in mid- October as part of the Bundeswehr's Digitalisation of Land-Based Operations (D-LBO) programme, a spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defence confirmed to Janes on 19 October 2026.

More than 50 combat and support vehicles, each equipped with either the Rohde & Schwarz vehicle radio or two handheld radios, were tested in Munster over a five-week period as part of phase 1 operational testing, which also included live fire exercises. The complete “D-LBO basic system was tested in realistic and tactical conditions,” the release states.

This means the Forward Land Forces (FLF) Brigade pledged to NATO, under the command of Panzergrenadierbrigade 37, is expected to be capable of digital command in January 2027, according to 16 October German Ministry of Defence press release. The FLF Brigade will comprise vehicles converted to the D-LBO basic configuration, as well as vehicles whose analogue systems will be connected to the D-LBO architecture via an interface, as per the release.

“There were no other special radios used, but instead a quick fix solution to integrate the handheld as well as vehicle radios in the older vehicles to ensure encrypted radio communication within the battle group,” the spokesperson told Janes