Germany will receive ballistic missiles for the first time since the Cold War: the country has ordered the Israeli PULS system
The Bundeswehr is purchasing Israeli PULS missile systems to replace the five MARS II (M270) missile systems transferred to Ukraine in 2022.
Here's What We Know
Elbit Systems has announced a $57 million contract with Germany for the supply of PULS multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). The number of units ordered was not disclosed, but the Bundeswehr's budget requests included five launchers.
The contract demonstrates Germany's speedy decision-making: after the M270 was handed over to Ukraine in July 2022, the PULS procurement process started in October 2023, and the amounts were agreed in December 2024.
According to Hartpunkt, the first two launchers will arrive in 2025 in a standard version, while the next three will have a German control and communication system and will be called Euro-PULS. After that, the first two units will also be upgraded to this level. The European part of the work will be carried out by KNDS Deutschland. It is noted that the systems will be based on the IVECO Trakker chassis, although the main chassis for Germany is the HX from Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles.
The PULS multiple launch rocket system. Illustration: Elbit
The question of ammunition for the PULS remains open. The most interesting options are Extra missiles with a range of 150 km (4 in a package) and Predator Hawk with a range of 300 km (2 in a package). The latter are positioned as a means of precision strikes on protected targets, have an accuracy of 10 m, a warhead of 140 kg and can hit targets at a distance of 50 to 300 km.
If Germany acquires the Predator Hawk, it will be the first time since the Cold War that the Bundeswehr will receive ballistic missiles. After the Second World War, Germany was not allowed to develop long-range missiles, and the Pershing 1 (range 740 km), which was transferred to the United States, was withdrawn and disposed of in 1991 under the INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty).
Between 1989 and 1993, the Bundeswehr received 158 M270 MLRS under the MARS designation, but without the ATACMS capability. Due to the reduction of the army to the MARS II level with GMLRS capability, only 22 vehicles were completed in 2018, and 18 remained in storage.
Source: Hartpunkt
