Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT strengthen partnership to develop advanced air defence systems

Building on existing systems already in production and available for rapid deployment, the partnership focuses on integrating the latest technologies. These include artificial intelligence and digital innovations designed to enhance situational awareness and response speed.

“We are not the only ones working to obtain a better and more up-to-date picture of the situation. Our potential adversaries are also striving to increase their efficiency through faster reconnaissance and combat,” said Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence.

He added: “We are working on fully automated processes and at least semi-autonomous vehicles so that we can change position as quickly as possible despite reduced personnel deployment. AI-supported environment perception and planning algorithms are used here.”

The threat landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, expanding beyond conventional aircraft and helicopters. Modern air defence systems must now address challenges posed by cruise missiles, supersonic and hypersonic weapons, drones, and ballistic missiles.

Oliver Dörre, CEO of HENSOLDT, stated: “Digital technologies – keyword ‘software-defined defence’ – are increasingly enabling us to link existing capabilities, roll out software-based modernisations and massively shorten development cycles.” He continued: “By jointly developing software-defined systems, we are multiplying the defensive effectiveness of air defence and thus contributing to the development of a sovereign European defence capability.”

Diehl Defence and HENSOLDT have a longstanding collaboration in the field, particularly with the medium-range IRIS-T SLM system. This system incorporates Airbus’ IBMS-FC combat management software and HENSOLDT’s active and passive radars, and is already in series production and delivery.

Key areas identified for further development include AI-based target detection within the TRML-4D fire control radar and the fusion of multi-source sensor data. Additionally, the companies plan to advance AI-driven situational awareness, planning algorithms, and simulation techniques.