Diehl Defence Land Systems - Upgrades, Running Gears and Maintenance

Diehl Defence Land Systems (DLS) is a new company in military land vehicle market, created from the merger between Diehl Remscheid, global producer of track systems and running gears for tanks, and Industriewerke Saar, long-term service provider to the German Bundeswehr and US Military and provider in Europe of military wheeled and tracked vehicles repair and maintenance.

Bespoke military solutions for vehicles

The complex requirements global military users place on their vehicle fleets requires expert knowledge of the various systems and modules with accompanying logistical support.

This includes developing and modernising vehicles and integrating subsystems, modules and components, maintenance and spare parts support. With our many years of experience, we develop bespoke solutions for the optimal fulfillment of customer requirements.

Diehl tracks for military transport vehicles

DLS's expertise extends to all main components on running gears, such as the tracks, road-wheels, idler-wheels and sprockets. Diehl's tracks are used in vehicles on all continents, with all the components adjusted to suit the situation of deployment. DLS, with international branches and co-productions, develops and produces more than 100 different tracks for all types of vehicles, including:

• Track OEM for tanks such as the Leopard 1 and 2
• Armoured personnel carriers, such as the Marder, PUMA, Pizarro, ASCOD
• Artillery systems, such as the M109, PzH2000
• Transport tanks like the M113 series

All tracked vehicles of the Bundeswehr, and almost all leading vehicle manufacturers around the world, are fitted with Diehl tracks or drive components.

Roof, mine and ballistic protection for crew and vehicles

When mobility and effectiveness reach their limits, it is necessary to give the crew the best possible protection against threats. Primarily, this is done by reducing one's own discoverability, through appropriate camouflage nets, by avoiding infrared and radar signatures using smoke. Only then is robust protection from a direct hit considered.

Together with partners and in close cooperation with the customer, DLS works out holistic protection concepts for each vehicle type and for each specific threat, including:

• Roof protection
• Mine protection
• Ballistic protection

Our protection concepts have been extensively tested by the German Bundeswehr on various vehicle types and have impressively proven their effectiveness.

Customised solutions for running gears and power units

While vehicle manufacturers concentrate exclusively on their own models, DLS offers a wider base and greater flexibility. For wheeled and tracked vehicles, DLS works out solutions for extending the life of these vehicles, improving their performance or expanding the range of their functions.

Proven teams develop customer-specific solutions for modern running gears and new, efficient power units. The entire solution is designed together with the selected effector systems to provide protection against threats. DLS places particular value on permanently integrating the customer, on definitions and specifications through to production, maintenance and servicing.

Production and integration: military vehicle improvements and modernisations

The solutions developed and tested by DLS then have to be implemented in series production. This takes place at our own German sites, or at the customer's location, depending on which concept offers the optimum. The logistical process behind this is the greatest challenge that has to be overcome. This can only be done successfully with many years' experience, coupled with flexibility in rapidly changing situations and the brain power of DLS.

Maintenance and spare part supply of military wheeled and track vehicles

The purchase of a system and its modernisation are important aspects in the lifecycle of a vehicle. However, servicing, maintenance and spare parts supply also determine the spare parts and life-time costs to a large extent.

DLS deals with this extensive subject during maintenance at the main plant as well as at the customer's locations. A high-performance SAP system supports this process, and therefore also the long-term availability of spare parts.