The companies said the MoU establishes a strategic framework for future cooperation. They said it reflects a shared commitment to strengthening European security and resilience against increasingly complex threats.
The agreement also reaffirms a long-standing strategic partnership between Diehl Defence and SMS. The cooperation is based on mutual trust and a common vision for European defence.
The partnership began with the joint preparation of a proposal under the first European Defence Fund call for a European Hypersonic Defence Interceptor. The HYDEF programme was selected in a highly competitive process.
“This partnership underscores our joint commitment to delivering a European cutting-edge solution to address the evolving threat landscape”, said Dr. Harald Buschek, CPO of Diehl Defence.
“The collaboration is expected to mark a significant step toward deeper bilateral cooperation between Germany and Spain, further strengthening interoperability and industrial alignment”, commented Ignacio Bengoechea, President of SMS.
Diehl Defence and SMS have cooperated as coordinators of the HYDEF programme, which is now approaching completion. The companies intend to expand their collaboration into the programme’s next phases.
The renewed cooperation provides a framework for preparing and submitting a joint HYDEF2 proposal. The proposal is intended for the upcoming European Defence Fund call on High-End Endo-Atmospheric Interception.
Under the agreement, Diehl Defence and SMS will lead the formation of a new HYDEF2 consortium. The consortium will bring together leading defence and space companies, particularly those active in Integrated Air and Missile Defence.
HYDEF2 will address a joint pre-development phase for the interceptor. The objective is to achieve operational capability against the most demanding threats in the shortest possible timeframe.
The next phase will place particular emphasis on defining the whole weapon system as part of Integrated Air and Missile Defence. The companies said the effort aligns with broader NATO and EU objectives to support collective security and strategic autonomy in Europe.
