COLOGNE, Germany — The German army has received parliamentary approval to purchase an initial batch of Elbit-made PULS (Precise and Universal Launching System) rocket artillery systems. This decision could lead to increased collaboration with European munitions suppliers in the future.
The announcement came shortly before the Christmas holidays and is part of a broader funding strategy for Germany’s armed forces. The Bundeswehr is set to allocate approximately €65 million, equivalent to $68 million USD, for the acquisition of five PULS systems.
The selection of PULS concludes a competitive evaluation process for Germany’s next-generation multiple-rocket launcher system. Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Rheinmetall, had proposed a competing offer named GMARS, which included Lockheed’s Guided MLRS rockets.
According to a German Ministry of Defense spokesperson, the Lockheed-Rheinmetall proposal was not advanced enough, with no usable prototype available at the time of decision.
The choice of PULS aims to strengthen cooperation between German artillery forces and those of the Netherlands, which has already procured the Israeli-made system. The Dutch contract offers Germany an opportunity to integrate its purchase with existing systems.
The PULS allows for a national fire-control system, enabling countries to choose their own munitions for integration. However, it remains uncertain if GMLRS rockets can be included, particularly given that these rockets have been transferred to Ukraine by the United States and are part of many NATO nations’ stocks.
German officials are reportedly seeking confirmation from Elbit that the Unitary variant of the weapons can utilize PULS fire-control software. Washington’s approval is crucial for any integration. A spokesperson from Berlin indicated ongoing coordination with the U.S. on this matter.
Last summer, Lockheed executive Howard Bromberg stated unequivocally that the MLRS Family of Munitions could not be integrated into the PULS system, implying that Germany would not have access to Lockheed rockets should it choose to proceed with PULS.
It is unclear how vital access to Lockheed rockets is for Germany’s long-term defense strategy since European manufacturers are adapting to a rise in demand for various types of munitions. In September, Elbit signed a cooperation agreement with Germany’s Diehl Defence focused on PULS users in Europe.
Pan-European missile maker MBDA is also positioning itself in the growing market for longer-range weapons, which are increasingly seen as essential for Europe’s defense posture, particularly in relation to perceived threats from Russia.
Sebastian Sprenger is the associate editor for Europe at Defense News, where he reports on the defense market and U.S.-European defense cooperation. He is based in Cologne, Germany.
