The "German Starlink Alternative" SATCOMBw Stage 4: "OHB Rheinmetall Space Networks GmbH" Established

OHB and Rheinmetall have founded the joint venture "OHB Rheinmetall Space Networks GmbH," based in Bremen, to provide the Bundeswehr with a high-performance, protected, and permanently available communication architecture as part of SATCOMBw Stage 4.

The new company is intended to assume overall responsibility—from development and integration to delivery and operation, including IT security and a Cyber Operation Centre. The system aims to network soldiers, vehicles, platforms, and drones, ensuring the secure transmission of voice, data, and real-time information across all command levels.

The management team consists of Dennis Winkelmann (over 25 years of aerospace experience, 19 of which were at OHB) and Alexander Beyer (a former Bundeswehr officer, most recently responsible for Satellite Communications at Rheinmetall).

Following approval by the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) in mid-April 2026, the company has now been entered into the Bremen commercial register. Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte commented: "This new cooperation between OHB and Rheinmetall impressively demonstrates that Bremen is increasingly becoming the command centre for maritime and space defence. This decision strengthens Bremen's role as the 'Number 1 Space City' in Germany and as a technology hub in the Northwest. Furthermore, the cooperation creates new jobs and secures many hundreds of existing ones along the Weser."

By implementing this project in Germany, Rheinmetall and OHB are strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty and Germany’s security-policy agency. Additionally, the joint venture positions itself as a powerful network operator capable of contributing its capabilities to NATO partnerships and the Framework Nations Concept in the future.

Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB SE: "With the founding of OHB Rheinmetall Space Networks GmbH, we are pooling our strengths to provide the Bundeswehr with a state-of-the-art, sovereign, and future-proof communication system. Together, we are creating the foundation for a networked and resilient operational capability for the Bundeswehr—thereby making a decisive contribution to the security architecture of Germany and Europe."

Timo Haas, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Digital Systems Division: "Without secure communication via space, no conflict can be won on the ground anymore. With OHB Rheinmetall Space Networks, we are in a position to provide the Bundeswehr with a technologically leading and absolutely crisis-proof communication architecture in space. The digitalisation of the armed forces requires secure and seamless networking at all command levels. Furthermore, it must function reliably even under extreme conditions. Through this complementary partnership with OHB, we combine military systems house expertise with strong aerospace know-how in Germany."