Rheinmetall and Varjo Advance Mobile MR Military Training
Varjo, known for creating mixed reality systems built for demanding military environments, has announced a strategic collaboration with Rheinmetall to enhance mobile land training capabilities. Rheinmetall, a long-standing provider of defence and security technologies, plans to integrate Varjo’s XR-4 Series headsets into its deployable virtual training platforms. The move is intended to expand scalable simulation capacity across Europe and NATO, particularly as many nations seek faster ways to strengthen defence readiness.
The partnership centres on Rheinmetall’s modular driving and weapons training systems, which can be moved, configured, and deployed with little setup time. These systems are already designed for flexibility, allowing teams to establish training sites in various locations without relying on large permanent facilities. With the addition of Varjo’s mixed reality headsets, Rheinmetall aims to increase immersion by blending physical components with synthetic environments that reflect operational conditions.
Rheinmetall’s portable simulators can be transported directly to field environments, where they may be configured to represent different vehicle platforms. Crews are able to train using real-world hardware while simultaneously engaging with virtual overlays that replicate terrain, weather, and threat scenarios. This approach is expected to produce a level of realism traditionally associated with fixed-site simulators, but with far greater mobility.
Varjo noted that Europe and NATO currently face growing demands for training capacity, especially as forces prepare for rapidly changing operational requirements. The company views mixed reality as a practical solution, enabling large numbers of soldiers to access high-quality training at short notice. Because the simulation systems can be positioned close to operational units, commanders gain greater flexibility in training schedules and can reduce travel time, which often disrupts readiness cycles.
The collaboration also allows instruction teams to monitor trainee behaviour in detail. Varjo’s XR-4 headsets, recently updated with improved tracking and ultra-high-resolution displays, support precise analysis of attention, reactions, and performance under simulated stress. This level of insight helps instructors identify skill gaps earlier and adapt scenarios accordingly. In an era where decision-making speed often defines operational success, both companies believe the technology will contribute to sharper situational awareness and faster learning curves.
Rheinmetall considers mixed reality a practical way to scale training without sacrificing quality. Its land simulation division has been developing mobile platforms that mimic the handling and performance of specific military vehicles. By embedding MR visual layers, these platforms aim to recreate mission environments without requiring extensive infrastructure. Forces can therefore shift between convoy driving, urban movement, reconnaissance, or logistics scenarios within a single configurable system.
Varjo emphasises cost efficiency as another benefit. Traditional training centres often involve significant investment, long construction timelines, and limited capacity. Mixed reality, by contrast, enables instructors to deliver a wide range of scenarios at a fraction of the expense, while still maintaining the fidelity required for serious operational training. This balance of precision and affordability is viewed as essential as defence organisations face tighter budgets and expanded mission profiles.
Both companies plan to demonstrate the integrated solution at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference in Orlando, Florida, in early December 2025. The joint showcase will feature an MR-enhanced truck driving simulator designed to illustrate how physical controls, motion cues, and synthetic environments operate together within a single system. Rheinmetall and Varjo expect the event to highlight the potential of mobile mixed reality platforms to change how modern armies prepare for complex missions.
The collaboration signals a broader shift in military training strategy. As operational environments become more unpredictable, forces are looking for realistic training solutions that can be deployed rapidly and scaled easily. By merging Rheinmetall’s simulation expertise with Varjo’s visual technology, the two companies aim to help defence organisations build adaptable, high-fidelity training frameworks suited to today’s demands.
