NIGHT VISION CAPABILITY

In conditions of limited visibility, night vision technology improves the ability of actors on the battlefield to observe, move, and deliver effects. The Participating States of the NVC Programme, Belgium and Germany, intend to achieve the required capabilities in regard of the NATO Capability Target L1201 “Advanced Individual Combat Capability” by securing the maximum benefits achievable through the pursuit of common development, procurement and in-service support. This approach ensures a common basic night vision capability of dismounted soldiers and drivers of military vehicles. The common procurement of NVC equipment increases the interoperability and decreases the logistic footprint in operational theatres where both Nations are deployed together.

Since May 2020, the NVC Programme manages the acquisition of night vision goggles (NVGs) for Belgium and Germany. In March 2023, the NVC Programme was integrated into the Small Programmes Programme Division (SP PD).

For the placement of the NVGs Contract, OCCAR-EA followed a Competitive Negotiated Procedure with publication of a Contract Notice, resulting in a Europe-wide competition with a strong field of tenderers. Finally, the Most Economically Advantageous Tender, the NVG MIKRON from the consortium Hensoldt Optronics GmbH – Theon Sensors SA, was selected for Contract Award, with contract signature on 22 June 2021.

On 05 July 2022, a contract amendment to the NVGs contract was signed. This amendment activates the option of the supply of an additional 20.000 MIKRON NVGs Sets to the German Armed Forces while at the same time accelerating the delivery schedule in light of the changed geopolitical situation.

The current contract covers the acquisition of 4,550 MIKRON NVG Sets for Belgium and 25,000 MIKRON NVG Sets for Germany. Furthermore, it includes the provision of Initial Spare Parts, training, documentation, 1,789 Head Mounting Systems for Germany and initial In-Service Support (ISS) of five years for Belgium. ISS for Belgium started in April 2022. The contract also secures inter alia firm prices for options that cover initial ISS for Germany and follow-on ISS for both Nations.

To complete qualification of the equipment, a small number of NVG Sets and initial spare parts were delivered in July 2021. The delivery of the first production batch to Belgium, including the complete initial spare parts package, took place in the last quarter of 2021. Delivery of the final batch for Belgium is planned for the last quarter of 2023, while Germany will receive the last NVG sets in the fourth quarter of 2024.