Rheinmetall, a leader in defense and security technologies, and Varjo, a leader in military-grade mixed reality (XR), have today announced a strategic collaboration to integrate Varjo technology into Rheinmetall’s deployable terrestrial virtual training systems, addressing the urgent need to expand training capacity in Europe and NATO.
Partnership Details
The partnership involves equipping Rheinmetall’s modular driving and weapons simulation systems with Varjo’s XR-4 series headsets, allowing armed forces to train more troops in more locations, at a pace that meets current security needs.
‘Nations must strengthen their defense capabilities more rapidly than ever, and training is at the center of this mission,’ stated Bartek Panasewicz, Vice President Training Systems Land of Rheinmetall Electronics. ‘Mixed reality gives us the flexibility to train a large number of soldiers where necessary, without compromising the quality or the realism of the experience. Varjo’s industry-leading XR technology, combined with Rheinmetall’s high-range simulators, allows soldiers to scale realistic and high-fidelity training anywhere, from central bases to temporary training sites. We are proud to collaborate with Varjo to accelerate NATO’s defense readiness.’
With military forces expansion and fleet growth, the ability to deploy training systems at different locations and quickly reconfigure them has become key. Rheinmetall’s driving simulators can be transported and installed in the field, with cockpit inserts replaceable in just minutes to replicate different vehicles.
Thanks to the integration of Varjo’s mixed reality, physical and synthetic elements can be seamlessly combined into a single training environment. Crews can operate with real hardware immersed in realistic virtual terrains, replicating conditions they will encounter during operations. This allows achieving the level of immersion necessary for effective operational training without resorting to large simulators installed in fixed locations.
‘Mixed reality offers a new frontier for ground training, accelerating preparedness at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional training methods,’ stated Valentin Storz, Chief Revenue Officer of Varjo. ‘Combining Rheinmetall’s high-fidelity simulators and our XR technology, armed forces can train with speed, mobility, and realism, in line with current operational needs.’
Varjo XR-4 Mixed Reality Headsets
Varjo’s newly upgraded mixed reality headsets from the XR-4 series offer maximum visual fidelity, realistic passthrough vision, and advanced eye tracking capabilities for training on land, air, and sea. Instructors can evaluate how trainees interact with tools, maintain situation awareness, and behave under simulated operational stress conditions, creating a detailed performance picture that supports faster skill development.
Rheinmetall and Varjo will present joint training solutions at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida, from December 1 to 4, 2025, at booth no. 2301. The demo will feature an advanced XR truck driving simulator that will allow armed forces to expand their training capacity with scalable, field-ready mixed reality technology.
Source and photo credit @ Rheinmetall-Varjo/cmsstrategic.com
