The networking through satellite systems is essential – also for the Deutsche Bundeswehr. To create an in-house alternative to Starlink, Rheinmetall and OHB are reportedly considering a collaboration and applying for the contract.

By early 2026, the semiconductor industry had broken through an invisible barrier: the space technology gap had finally collapsed. Radiation-hardened semiconductors suddenly caught up to—and in some domains even surpassed—the commercial mainstream.

After unprecedented budget commitments across Europe, the defence sector is entering a decisive phase in 2026: execution under real operational pressure. Major multinational programmes such as FCAS, MGCS and NATO air defence initiatives are transitioning from planning to delivery. At the same time, structural and technological bottlenecks remain unresolved. Against this backdrop, five key trends are emerging that will shape how effectively Europe translates political ambition into operational capability.

Portugal is set to host the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) flagship operational experimentation campaign, OPEX, in 2026. The campaign will concentrate on a range of technological domains, including autonomous systems, logistics support and loitering munitions. 

According to Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius (SPD), there is no way around giving the Bundeswehr a modern innovation forge.

In addition to an existing order, two more TKMS submarines of type 212CD will be added by Norway, as dpa now reports.

Russia's war against Ukraine continues, and the geopolitical situation has further shifted, even with Donald Trump as President of the United States. Europe's investment in rearmament is significantly reflected in the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Drones are a serious problem nowadays. One idea for defence comes, among others, from the KIT: metal chains are shot at drones to catch them by tightly wrapping around them. In the case of off-center contacts, the chain unwinds on the target. The propeller then grabs the chain, leading to self-strangulation.

In order to secure a future-proof and competitive position in the market, numerous companies are restructuring their product ranges. The trend is towards sophisticated solutions for high-tech industries. This not only means higher demands on the precision of components, but also strict specifications regarding particulate and film cleanliness, which must be achieved in a process-reliable, economical and sustainable manner. This requires a different approach to cleaning, and a critical look at the entire production chain and manufacturing environment.

NanoXplore and STMicroelectronics announce the qualification of NG-ULTRA for space applications. This radiation-hardened SoC FPGA has been designed specifically for space applications, including low- and medium-earth orbit constellations, and is set to be used in numerous satellite equipment systems, including flagship missions such as Galileo, Copernicus, and potentially IRIS².

Heavy Duty 600 for optimized fiber connectivity, engineered to withstand the harshest environments and ensure simplified field maintenance.

By early 2026, the semiconductor industry had broken through an invisible barrier: the space technology gap had finally collapsed. Radiation-hardened semiconductors suddenly caught up to—and in some domains even surpassed—the commercial mainstream.

Rheinmetall has successfully participated in a pioneering test conducted by the Bundeswehr at the Military Training Area in Saxony-Anhalt with the unmanned aerial vehicle system LUNA NG. 

Airbus Defence and Space has selected Skynopy, a French NewSpace company specialising in satellite ground station services, to support the enhancement of the ground segment for its very high-resolution optical imagery services based on its Pléiades Neo constellation.

The European space industry has high hopes for the rocket developed by Munich-based start-up Isar Aerospace. The second test flight has been postponed - a new date for the mission "Onward and Upward" has now been announced.

Astroscale Limited, the global leader in in-orbit servicing, has been awarded a EUR 399.000 Phase A contract by the European Space Agency to lead the design of the In-Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a pioneering mission concept that will enable satellites to be upgraded, repaired, and extended while in orbit

In the high stakes theater of defense and the precision locked world of avionics, reliable connectivity is a lifeline to operational success. Wi Fi 8, the first generation explicitly framed around “Ultra High Reliability,” is shifting the design focus away from headline peak throughput toward consistent, low latency, near lossless performance under the harsh, congested realities of mobile communications at the tactical edge.

Joint offering with 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor simplifies certification and accelerates deployment of advanced computing for safety-critical applications

In 2025, the aerospace industry was under massive transformational pressure. This is because air travel remains attractive, geopolitical tensions push for prioritized defense programs, and a new space race is beginning. This increases the pressure on manufacturers, airlines, airports, and space companies to develop faster, plan more efficiently, and utilize resources better.

While 90 percent of the world's population now has mobile network coverage, this only covers about 15 percent of the Earth's surface. Taking into account the oceans and vast undeveloped and rural areas, the idea of global connectivity quickly falters. At the same time, the demand for data connectivity in these remote areas is growing.

Germany and Italy are strengthening their strategic relationship with a far‑reaching agreement on security, defence, and political cooperation. During government consultations in Rome, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni signed a bilateral pact aimed at significantly expanding joint military initiatives, resilience capabilities, and foreign‑policy coordination.

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Hensoldt to integrate kinetic countermeasures into the ASUL drone defence system, which has been proven in service for many years. This is another pioneering step towards the sustainable combat enhancement of ASUL, following the update of the sensor technology at the beginning of 2025, which included the latest generation of the Hensoldt SPEXER radar.

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the production of six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems. The VSR700s will be operated from 2028 by the French Navy.

Portugal is set to host the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) flagship operational experimentation campaign, OPEX, in 2026. The campaign will concentrate on a range of technological domains, including autonomous systems, logistics support and loitering munitions. 

Tool safety requirements in aviation continue to rise, with operators demanding not only mechanical precision but also enhanced measures for FOD prevention, documentation security, and mobility. Responding to these needs, STAHLWILLE has introduced the 13243a WT/TS Avionik, a comprehensive avionics tool set housed in a rugged tool trolley—purpose-built for MRO providers, airlines, and training facilities.

HYTORC has introduced its Defence Solutions portfolio, offering specialised hydraulic torque tools designed for the maintenance of military vehicles and equipment. With applications ranging from the GTK Boxer to Leopard tanks and naval platforms, the company’s systems aim to enhance operational safety, reliability, and sustainability across the Bundeswehr’s fleet.

With the growing demand for digitalised and flexible support capabilities in expeditionary air operations, the German Air Force is strengthening its operational infrastructure with the Ground Support Container System (GSCS) for the Eurofighter. Developed by the GSS+ consortium, comprising HENSOLDT and steep GmbH, the system marks a milestone in providing mission-critical data handling in-theatre.

In safety-critical sectors such as the commercial vehicle industry and the defence and armaments sector, the highest demands on the technical cleanliness of components are essential. Even microscopically small particles or film-like contamination can impair the function of critical components and lead to system failures. This is where robust, high-performance industrial cleaning systems become indispensable.