The acquisition is intended to strengthen MTU’s position in a growing market for autonomous and high-precision systems. It also supports broader efforts to enhance Europe’s technological independence in aerospace and defence.
Ottmar Pfänder, Chief Program Officer at MTU Aero Engines, said the move accelerates the company’s expansion into a key sector. “Through AeroDesignWorks, we are ensuring accelerated and substantial entry into a key growth sector,” he said.
“Autonomous and high-precision systems are increasingly becoming a focal point of European aerospace and defense strategies,” Pfänder added. “With this acquisition, MTU will continue making an important contribution to strengthening Europe’s technological independence.”
“At the same time, we are reinforcing our commitment to playing a decisive role in shaping the future of European propulsion systems,” he said. The company aims to combine industrial capabilities with specialised expertise to support future programmes.
MTU is an established supplier of military aircraft engines, with involvement in programmes including Tornado, Eurofighter and A400M. It is also contributing to the development of next-generation European fighter engine technologies.
The acquisition allows MTU to combine its manufacturing capabilities with the agility of a smaller technology company. AeroDesignWorks is expected to benefit from access to industrial-scale production and development resources.
The company, founded in 2011 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center, has around 40 employees. It specialises in gas turbine engines with thrust levels of up to 400 N and is already delivering products for defence customers.
AeroDesignWorks is also developing propulsion solutions for UAV and guided missile programmes requiring higher thrust levels. MTU said it will support this expansion through its expertise in engineering and production.
The founders of AeroDesignWorks highlighted the company’s development track record. “In recent years, we have demonstrated the innovative strength of AeroDesignWorks: rapid development, technological depth, and the ability to bring high-performance, compact gas turbines from concept to series production,” said Georg Kröger and Ulrich Siller.
“MTU is an established and reliable partner in the defense sector – and will ideally complement our strengths,” they added. The companies aim to build on their complementary capabilities to expand in the defence propulsion market.
AeroDesignWorks will remain legally independent under MTU ownership. This structure is intended to preserve its flexibility while enabling growth through access to MTU’s industrial and technological capabilities.
“This allows us to preserve what sets AeroDesignWorks apart today: speed, cost efficiency, and flexibility,” Pfänder said. “As shareholders, we are supporting the company as it scales and continues to grow by providing access to our technologies and industrialization capabilities.”
