November 25, 2025 – Helsinki, Finland / Düsseldorf, Germany – Rheinmetall, a leader in defense and security technologies and Varjo, the leader in military-grade mixed reality (XR), today announced a strategic collaboration to integrate Varjo’s technology into Rheinmetall’s deployable virtual land training systems, addressing the urgent need to scale training capacity across Europe and NATO. The partnership will entail equipping Rheinmetall’s modular driving and weapons simulation systems with Varjo XR-4 Series headsets, enabling forces to train more troops in more locations, at a pace that matches current security demands.
“Nations need to strengthen their defense capabilities faster than ever before, and training is at the heart of that mission,” said Bartek Panasewicz, VP Training Systems Land at Rheinmetall Electronics. “Mixed reality gives us the flexibility to train large numbers of soldiers where they are needed, without compromising on the quality or realism of the experience. Varjo’s industry-leading XR technology, combined with Rheinmetall’s top-of-the-line simulators, allows soldiers to scale realistic, high-fidelity training anywhere from central bases to temporary training sites. We are proud to partner with Varjo in accelerating NATO’s defense readiness.”
As armed forces expand and fleets grow, the ability to deploy training systems to different locations and reconfigure them quickly has become critical. Rheinmetall’s driving simulators can be transported and set up in the field, with cockpit inserts swapped in minutes to replicate different vehicles. With the integration of Varjo's mixed reality, physical and synthetic elements can be combined seamlessly in a single training environment. Crews can operate with real hardware while immersed in realistic virtual terrains, replicating the conditions they will face in operations. This enables achieving the level of immersion required for effective operational training without relying on large, fixed-site simulators.
See the simulator in action in this video from Rheinmetall and Varjo
“Mixed reality provides a new edge for land training, accelerating preparedness at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional training methods,” said Valentin Storz, Chief Revenue Officer at Varjo. “By combining Rheinmetall’s high-fidelity simulators and our XR technology, forces can train with speed, mobility, and realism that matches today’s operational demands.”
Varjo’s recently refreshed mixed reality headsets, the XR-4 Series, deliver the highest-resolution visual fidelity, realistic passthrough vision, and advanced eye tracking capabilities for training across land, air, and sea. Instructors can assess how trainees interact with instruments, maintain situational awareness, and perform under simulated operational stress, creating a detailed performance picture that supports faster skill development.
Rheinmetall and Varjo will demonstrate joint training solutions at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando, Florida, on December 1–4, 2025, at booth #2301. The demo will feature an advanced XR truck driving simulator that enables forces to expand their training capacity with scalable, field-ready mixed reality technology.
About Rheinmetall
Based in Düsseldorf, Rheinmetall AG is an internationally operating technology corporation. Founded in 1889, the company is a leading systems supplier for the defence industry and, at the same time, a driver of forward-looking technological and industrial innovations in civil markets. With around 40,000 employees at 174 sites worldwide, the company, listed on the DAX40 since March 2023, generated sales of €9.8bn in the 2024 business year.
Rheinmetall Electronics supplies mission equipment as well as training solutions to armed forces, government agencies and civil customers. The company offers a comprehensive range of products and services for armed forces, civil security forces and industry partners. In close cooperation with the customer, Rheinmetall Electronics designs, develops and produces high-end products and integrates complex system solutions.
As systems become ever more complex, the armed forces expect cost-effective training solutions throughout the entire lifecycle of the original systems. Rheinmetall offers tailored solutions for the target-oriented training of soldiers, ranging from fundamental e-learning to sophisticated simulators and complex training centres.
As one of the world’s largest suppliers of systems and equipment for all branches of the military, Rheinmetall is a competent partner for the innovative use of advanced training technology in the field of live, constructive and virtual simulation.
About Varjo
Varjo is the world-leading provider of military-grade virtual and mixed reality solutions, delivering the highest levels of immersion, performance, and security for the most demanding defense and aerospace customers globally. Already used in over 100 defense programs worldwide, we are known for virtual and mixed reality that look and feel as real as the real world, allowing modernizing training across land, sea, air, and beyond.
Our hardware and software solutions integrate with the world’s largest ecosystem of professional 3D software, image generators, and advanced simulator hardware. With Varjo’s offering, including the latest XR-4 Series and the TAA-compliant XR-4 Secure Edition, our customers can recreate the exact feeling and conditions of real life in 3D, allowing them to train faster, better, and more cost-effectively.