Military Lego: Austrian Armed Forces Test Modular Trench System

During the Waldviertel 25 exercises, the Austrian Armed Forces tested the new modular ROM Trench System, a quick-assembly plastic trench system.

Soldat&Technik reported on this.

In addition to 1,850 Austrian soldiers, around 250 soldiers from Germany, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Switzerland, Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro also participated in the Waldviertel 25 exercises at the Alensteig training ground.

The publication notes that the protection of personnel is the top priority in any military operation, especially when it comes to static defensive positions. Traditional systems made of wood or corrugated iron have provided reliable protection for decades, but they also have drawbacks, including high logistical complexity, long installation times, noisy construction methods, and limited potential for reuse.

The ROM Trench System consists of plastic trench segments mounted on a metal frame, allowing for quick assembly in just a few hours. During the Waldviertel 25 exercises, a team of four cadets from the Military Academy constructed an 18-meter-long trench, including a combat position, in just three hours.

“The time savings are immense. What once took at least a day is now ready for use in no time,” explained an instructor from the training battalion.

The key advantage is the modular design: pre-assembled metal frame elements are easily set up on-site and connected to plastic wall and ceiling segments through simple plug-in joints. No noisy machinery or tools are required, and the components can be installed nearly silently.

It is noted that the trench built during the exercises was tested under realistic conditions: it was filled with soil, soldiers moved through it with full gear, and deliberately provoked stress tests were conducted. The system passed all tests successfully.

“We thoroughly tested everything. No bending, no settling. The system looks robust and clearly suitable for repeated use,” concluded the senior sergeant from the Altensteig military range.

Another advantage of the system is its full reusability. After the exercises, the modules were cleaned, stored, and will be available for future use.

“Our previous systems, especially the wooden ones, required a lot of manual labor, time, and expertise. In contrast, the plastic solution is almost intuitive. After a brief training, even infantrymen can take on the construction. This eases the burden on our engineering troops, allowing them to manage multiple construction sites simultaneously or be deployed in other key areas. In emergency situations, this gives us a significant operational advantage,” explained an engineering officer who was present during the exercises.

The ROM Trench System was created in 2023 and was first tested in 2025 at the Pioneer School in Ingolstadt, Germany.

Austria is developing a plan for a large-scale rearmament of its army, which includes the acquisition of a new tank battalion – 58 Leopard 2 tanks.