The German defence procurement agency (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr BAAINBw), has entered into a significant framework agreement with Junghans Microtec GmbH. This agreement encompasses the provision of up to 180,000 DM52 electronic time fuzes, specifically designed for 155mm artillery shells. The deal also includes an option for an additional 90,000 fuzes, bringing the potential total contract value to EUR 147.5 million. The base agreement is valued at EUR 97.5 million, with the additional order option contributing another EUR 50 million. Under this framework, Junghans Microtec has already received its first order, valued at EUR 10.5 million, for the initial delivery of 20,000 DM52 fuzes. This initial procurement highlights the swift action taken to bolster the German Armed Forces’ capabilities, funded by a special budget allocation intended to enhance national defense infrastructure.
The DM52 electronic time fuze is a state-of-the-art solution designed for use in various artillery applications, including illuminating and smoke shells, as well as sensor-fuzed munitions like the SMArt 155. The SMArt 155 is a product of collaboration between German defense giants Diehl Defence and Rheinmetall, demonstrating the high level of domestic innovation within the German defense sector. Junghans Microtec’s CEO expressed pride in delivering the DM52 to the Bundeswehr, complementing their supply of the DM84 multifunction fuze. “This contract not only validates the quality of our innovative and reliable solutions but also underscores the trust placed in us and our expertise,” a company representative stated. The DM52 fuze’s advanced features, such as being inductively settable according to NATO’s STANAG 4369 and offering time ranges adjustable in 0.1-second increments, make it a versatile and reliable tool for modern artillery units.
The DM52/L163 fuze is compatible with various calibers, including 155mm and 105mm artillery shells, and 120mm rifled mortars, across all applicable charge zones. Its design ensures full compatibility with modern howitzers, including both 39-caliber and 52-caliber variants. Additionally, the fuze meets international standards for safety and reliability, adhering to multiple STANAG requirements (2916, 4157, 4187, and 4439). The built-in safety features, such as enhanced security during storage, transportation, and operational use, along with compliance with the flick ramming system of modern artillery, ensure that the DM52 offers superior performance in demanding conditions. It is also ITAR-free and REACH-compliant, ensuring that international regulations do not hinder its widespread deployment.
Junghans Microtec draws on over 160 years of precision mechanical expertise, a legacy dating back to its origins as a watch manufacturer. This experience has been seamlessly integrated into its defense products, including fuzes for artillery, mortars, grenades, rockets, missiles, and torpedoes. As part of the JUNGHANS Defence umbrella brand—a joint venture between Germany’s Diehl and France’s Thales—the company has been a trusted supplier to major international armed forces for years. With locations in both Germany and France, Junghans Microtec and JUNGHANS T2M SAS operate as separate entities, but their close collaboration ensures that the company can meet the evolving demands of modern warfare. The DM52 electronic time fuze is a testament to Junghans’ ongoing commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology to global defense markets, while reinforcing the importance of precision, reliability, and safety.
