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German Armed Forces Acquire $54M Worth of BIRDIE Decoy Flares From Rheinmetall

German Armed Forces Acquire $54M Worth of BIRDIE Decoy Flares From Rheinmetall

The German armed forces has acquired decoy flares that can protect aircraft from Rheinmetall.

The defense technology company secured a contract valued at about $54 million for over 470,000 units of the Bispectral Infrared Decoy Improved Efficiency product line. 

According to the deal, Rheinmetall will deliver two variants of the BIRDIE products to the Bundeswehr: the IR-Birdie 118 BS and IR-Birdie 218 BS. Delivery began in December and will be completed in 2029.

The BIRDIE flares can be launched from helicopters, jets and transport planes, a technology that simulates the heat signature of aircraft exhaust gases, distracting oncoming infrared-homing guided missiles to protect military assets.

The Bundeswehr already uses IR-Birdie 118 BS and IR-Birdie 218 BS. Rheinmetall also supplies its MK30-2/ABM autocannon for Germany’s Puma infantry fighting vehicles. 

In November, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the nation needs a war-ready armed forces because “war is back in Europe.” 

“Germany needs a Bundeswehr that can fight and that is operational and capable,” according to the minister.

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