European developer and manufacturer of missiles MBDA has been awarded by The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr or BAAINBw) a contract for the acquisition of Enforcer missile systems for the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr). Signed on 20 December, the contract will fulfil the German requirement for a lightweight, day/night, precision-guided, shoulder-launched weapon system with an effective range of more than 1,800m.
The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) has chosen the Enforcer after a detailed, competitive evaluation for the ‘Leichtes Wirkmittel 1800+’ requirement. With this contract, MBDA are partnering with the German Armed Forces to ensure the Bundeswehr has this comprehensive weapon for years to come. With the addition of the shoulder-launched Enforcer, MBDA is now firmly embarked in a complete renewal of its family of battlefield engagement weapons that started with Brimstone 3 and MMP, a Medium Range missile introduced last year into the French Army. Enforcer, MMP and Brimstone now form the core of a portfolio that we hope will see many further developments.
Enforcer provides low-collateral precision effects capabilities against the threat from lightly armoured static and moving targets, targets behind cover, and against targets at long range also in urban environments. Enforcer is a German-led, multi-national MBDA programme. After a successful demonstration programme, the system development started in 2014. Resulting from a multinational MBDA development effort, the Enforcer will complement the ‘Wirkmittel 90′ shoulder-launched unguided munition capability in the German Armed Forces. MBDA is now set to complete qualification, and prepare for series production.
The modular design of the Enforcer system enables a range of future development options, including a prospective ‘family’ of Enforcer munitions for land, air and sea applications. With a lock-on before launch capability, the fire-and-forget Enforcer missile provides precision capabilities against lightly armoured static and moving targets, targets behind cover and in urban environments at up to 2,000 m. It can be operated from cover and in enclosed and confined spaces.The modular system is lightweight – the missile and single-use launch tube weigh in at less than 9 kg (19.8 lb), while the complete system, which includes two munitions and a sight, is less than 20 kg – and can be carried and operated by one soldier.
