Germany is preparing a major procurement of about 500 MARS 3 rocket artillery systems that could reshape its artillery capabilities.
The German armed forces aim to conclude a framework agreement covering roughly 500 of the multi‑mission artillery launchers, also known as EuroPULS in export markets, according to a report by Hartpunk.
Around half of the systems are expected to equip German units, while the rest would be available to partner countries under the same supply and support conditions.
Parliamentary review of the procurement is anticipated in the second half of 2026, with additional linked contracts for munitions likely to follow.
Officials familiar with the planning told Hartpunk that the first phase of procurement under the framework will focus on 150-kilometer (93-mile) range rockets, with deliveries for German forces expected by 2030.
Future phases are expected to cover thousands of additional rockets per year and may include longer‑range effects, loitering munitions, and potentially even missiles with seeker‑fuzed warheads.
PULS Family
Europe’s broader adoption of the Precise and Universal Launching Systems (PULS) family — the technical backbone of MARS 3 — provides context for Germany’s plans and reflects growing demand for modern rocket artillery across allied militaries.
In January 2025, Germany’s procurement of PULS marked its first formal step toward replacing older rocket artillery. That order included five vehicles and integrated German fire‑control equipment.
Procurements linked to the PULS architecture have also taken place in northern Europe. Denmark ordered a full complement of PULS multi‑rocket launchers in 2023, as part of its effort to modernize artillery and support NATO integrated fires.
The Netherlands also ordered PULS units in 2013.
Beyond national buys, integration experiments have demonstrated PULS and MARS 3 flexibility with advanced munitions. In 2025, German and allied forces successfully fired the Naval Strike Missile from a MARS 3 launcher during demonstrations exploring coastal defense and multi‑domain effects integration.
