Hides Even Tanks: Germany to Order Hundreds of Thousands of Multispectral Camouflage Nets

The German Army plans to order hundreds of thousands of modern camouflage nets that reduce the signature of objects.

The publication hartpunkt reported that the Belgian company Sioen may receive the contract.

The growing proliferation of reconnaissance drones and satellite reconnaissance is forcing troops to improve the camouflage of their own forces and equipment. The goal is to make it difficult or even impossible for the enemy to conduct effective reconnaissance.

As part of the project “Stationary Multispectral Camouflage Equipment (SMT)” in the summer of 2024, the Bundeswehr Procurement Office announced a tender for the supply of modern camouflage nets that reduce signature in different spectra.

The project is designed to provide long-term supply to Bundeswehr units: it provides for the supply of camouflage nets of various sizes for different environments (forest, desert, snowy areas, urbanized areas), as well as relevant auxiliary equipment.

The government should allocate budgetary funds to conclude a contract for the supply of up to 219,261 sets of multispectral camouflage nets, divided by variants and sizes, as well as up to 104,536 sets of auxiliary equipment.

According to unconfirmed information, the Bundeswehr plans to enter into a framework agreement with Sioen, under which it will be possible to order kits and ancillary equipment with a total value of approximately €580 million.

The Sioen’s SIOCAM brand offers various multispectral grids – single-layer, multilayer, 2.5D – which, depending on the design, also reduce the signature in other bands in addition to the optical signature.

Artificial camouflage, such as camouflage nets or camouflage paints combined with natural means (vegetation), can complicate visual reconnaissance, but are not as effective as radar or thermal imaging.

To complicate reconnaissance with such systems, so-called multispectral camouflage nets are used.

They are capable of hiding a signature in more than one spectrum – not just in visible light.

At the same time, “cloaking” does not mean complete invisibility: it usually reduces the detection range and makes it more difficult to identify the object.

Multispectral grids can mask at least two and sometimes more spectra. For example, it is possible to partially hide the thermal (infrared) and optical signature of objects or reduce their electromagnetic signature, which leads to a significant reduction in the range and efficiency of reconnaissance.