On September 22, French defense procurement agency DGA awarded Sagem (Safran group) an initial conditional tranche worth more than 25 million euros as prime contractor for the RIF-NG, the radio communications and information system for warfighters using the FELIN equipment suite.

The RIF-NG (Reseau d'Information du Fantassin de Nouvelle Generation) new-generation soldier information network is being developed to take account of the planned allocation of the 800 MHz bandwidth used by the RIF, the information network now used by FELIN-equipped units, to civilian 4G (very high speed) mobile networks.

Compared to the current RIF system, the RIF-NG will provide new services in addition to the phone and data functions that are already available, including radio relay, encryption and transmission protection.

The RIF-NG system will be available in three configurations: individual radio, tactical remote relay unit, and vehicle relay unit.

Deployed by each soldier and integrated in armored infantry vehicles, the RIF-NG is designed to ensure continuous communications between soldiers and with vehicles, for both mounted and dismounted operations.

Delivered starting in 2013, the RIF-NG will outfit troops and vehicles in all French army infantry units.

The first infantry units already equipped with the FELIN system will have their individual RIF radios upgraded to the RIF-NG standard.

The RIF-NG system offers new collaborative functions and enhanced operational efficiency at platoon level, and enables vehicles to contribute to the overall effectiveness of FELIN.

An essential part of the French army's digital battlefield initiative, the RIF-NG program is worth a total of 87 million euros.