Corroborated contract 2026-10-05
Hensoldt CEO Oliver Dörre signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence during Chancellor Merz's Kyiv visit covering large-scale radar deliveries and development of air-defense surveillance capabilities. The agreement includes continued supply of radar systems and joint development of advanced radar capabilities for Ukraine's air defense.
Why it matters: Hensoldt is embedding itself in Ukraine's long-term air-defense roadmap, not just shipping hardware — a template other European primes are likely watching.
Corroborated contract 2026-09-10 €15m
HENSOLDT signed a €15 million development contract with Germany's BAAINBw to continue work on Optarion, a ground station that connects the Bundeswehr's Battle Management System to Army aviation platforms including helicopters and drones. The contract, announced 10 September, advances the system's integration with German command-and-control networks.
Corroborated test 2026-08-20
During the German Air Force exercise Timber Express 2026 at Manching, Rheinmetall Air Defence and Hensoldt successfully integrated the Twinvis passive radar's air picture into the Skymaster command-and-control system. Skymaster directed a Skynex air-defence battery in the scenario. The integration was conducted under realistic NATO networking conditions.
Why it matters: Passive radar just entered Germany's air-defence kill chain under NATO network protocols — a significant counter-stealth step that other European militaries will watch closely.
Single source test 2026-08-19
Hartpunkt reports Rheinmetall and Hensoldt reached an integration milestone during the German Air Force Timber Express 2026 exercise by feeding Hensoldt's Twinvis passive-radar air picture into Rheinmetall's Skymaster command-and-weapons control system.
Why it matters: Passive sensors wired into live air-defense C2 is where anti-radiation survivability moves from brochure language to an operator's console.
Single source test 2026-08-19
Rheinmetall and Hensoldt successfully integrated Hensoldt's Twinvis passive radar into Rheinmetall's Skymaster air-defense command-and-control system during the German Air Force's Timber Express 2026 exercise. The passive radar's air picture fed directly into Skymaster's fire-control loop. Both companies describe the milestone as a step toward networked layered air defense.
Why it matters: Passive radar is the quiet counter to low-observable threats; proving it can close the kill chain inside a NATO C2 system moves the technology from niche to doctrine.
Single source procurement notice 2026-08-13
Hartpunkt reports the German Knifefish electronic-warfare successor to the Hornisse will be fielded on a Piranha 5 chassis rather than Boxer, after the Netherlands earlier contracted Hensoldt for related EW systems under the Knifefish project.
Why it matters: Boxer does not win every German EW hull by default — platform choice is becoming a European industrial fight inside one ministry.