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North Hesse Defence Hub: Rheinmetall to Build New Logistics Centre at Kassel Airport – State of Hesse Supports Strategic Investment

Friday, August 28th, 2026

The State Government of Hesse and Rheinmetall intend to work together to further develop and economically strengthen North Hesse as a centre for innovation and defence. Minister-President Boris Rhein, Minister for Economic Affairs Kaweh Mansoori and Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, presented the plans for the ‘North Hesse Defence Hub’ on Thursday, 27 August 2026, at Kassel Airport. They also signed a corresponding Memorandum of Understanding. With funding from the State of Hesse, Rheinmetall will establish a new logistics and technology centre at Kassel-Calden Airport, expand its site in Kassel and develop new technologies locally. The total investment amounts to a three-digit million sum in millions of euros.

With an available floor area of over 30,000 square metres, the logistics centre will be one of the Group’s most significant infrastructure investments in Germany. The facility, which is to be built in the municipality of Calden in the very close vicinity of Kassel Airport, is scheduled to be operational at the end of 2027. This will create a defence hub in Northern Hesse that will have significance far beyond the region and generate new jobs among partners and suppliers. The new logistics centre is set to significantly boost the company’s operational capacity and ensure the efficient processing of both domestic and international orders. The modern infrastructure will enable shorter processing times, optimised supply chains and higher delivery quality – factors that are of crucial importance given the growing demand for Rheinmetall products.

Furthermore, Rheinmetall is planning to establish a drone test centre at its new site in Calden. The aim is to capitalise on the site’s infrastructural advantages, combined with the unique local conditions, for the further development and testing of Rheinmetall drones. Unlike other airports, Kassel Airport offers unique opportunities for drone testing. The planned Hessian Drone Competence Centre also provides Rheinmetall with a valuable locational advantage at the airport.

Minister-President Boris Rhein: “Rheinmetall’s multi-million investment is a strong signal for North Hesse as a centre of innovation and defence. In future, the North Hesse Defence Hub will link Kassel’s industrial strength with the strategic infrastructure of Kassel Airport. Kassel-Calden is, and will remain, a key component of the transport infrastructure in North Hesse. The airport serves general aviation and is a business hub. Furthermore, we are intending to establish it even more firmly in future as a military hub, for Bundeswehr training flights and for research into and testing of new drone technologies”, said Hesse’s Minister-President Boris Rhein. Referring to the project’s significance for the region, he added: “I am very grateful to Rheinmetall for joining us today to launch this forward-looking project and, in doing so, to take North Hesse as a centre for innovation and defence to a new level. These investments will create additional value and jobs. And in these economically challenging times, we are sending a message of confidence: our Defence Hub will become a driver of growth for the strong region of North Hesse”.

Kaweh Mansoori, Minister for Economic Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted the importance of North Hesse as a business hub for the state, Germany and Europe: “A government capable of taking effective action must guarantee security – and in doing so, it needs a strong, innovative and resilient economy. Resilience means having reliable structures, technological expertise and the capacity to act independently. North Hesse offers the ideal conditions for this: industrial strength, excellent research, innovative companies and a highly skilled workforce. We intend to develop this potential in a targeted manner. In this way, we will strengthen Germany’s and Europe’s capacity to act, whilst at the same time securing good jobs and value creation in the region”.

Armin Papperger, Chief Executive of Rheinmetall AG: “We regard this investment as a strategic move with a view to significant orders in the field of military vehicles, which we can expect to receive in future from both Germany and abroad. We are preparing for the future and ae strengthening our capabilities for the benefit of our customers. The new logistics centre is a key element of Rheinmetall’s growth strategy in the tactical vehicle sector, particularly for our German customer – the Bundeswehr. We are especially grateful to the State of Hesse for the support we have received for this project”.

Björn Bernhard, CEO of Rheinmetall’s Vehicle Systems Division: “We are creating a new hub in the heart of Germany. With the new engineering, logistics and support centre in Calden, in the district of Kassel, we are sending a clear signal regarding the long-term viability of our site in North Hesse. Not only are we laying the foundations for even more efficient order processing, but we are also taking responsibility for the region. I would also like to thank the town, the district of Kassel and the municipality of Calden, as they are all supporting us to the best of their ability”.

The site at Kassel Airport was selected following a thorough analysis of possible alternatives. The good transportation links, the proximity to the existing Rheinmetall plant in Kassel (Mittelfeld Industrial Park) and the availability of land for a large-scale facility were clear arguments in favour of this site.

Decreasing traffic in the northern part of Kassel

Another key objective of the investment is to achieve a noticeable reduction in factory traffic in the area around the existing Rheinmetall plant in the northern part of Kassel. By relocating logistical processes and transport flows to the new centre at Kassel Airport, the aim is to significantly reduce lorry and delivery traffic around the traditional factory site.

This not only benefits the company itself, but also significantly reduces traffic on the neighbouring roads and in the residential areas of Kassel. Rheinmetall is thus living up to its responsibilities as a regional employer and business partner, and is actively contributing to improving the quality of life in the region.

New jobs for the region

The construction and operation of the new logistics centre will create additional jobs in the Kassel district – both during the construction phase and in the long run, once operations are up and running. Rheinmetall is thus strengthening its role as a major employer in the Kassel metropolitan region and reaffirming its commitment to North Hesse as a business location. The new roles will cover a broad spectrum of skills, ranging from logistics and warehouse specialists to technical and administrative roles.

In addition, an area of around 1,200 square metres of the Defence Hub is earmarked as a training centre. In future, staff from both the Kassel plant and other Rheinmetall sites will receive initial and further training there. Calden will thus take on a strategic role as a centre of excellence within the Rheinmetall Group and contribute to company-wide skills development and staff development.

Rheinmetall in Kassel

The Kassel site of Rheinmetall Landsystems GmbH is the centre of excellence within Rheinmetall AG’s ‘Vehicle Systems Europe’ division for the development, manufacture and maintenance of state-of-the-art tactical wheeled and tracked vehicles, including a wide range of integrated equipment packages. Around 2,200 employees currently work at the Rheinmetall site in Kassel.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | No Comments »

GA-ASI and Fujitsu Sign MOU for the Maintenance and Operation of UAS in Japan

Friday, August 28th, 2026

MOU Aims To Establish Maintenance and Operational Support Capabilities for the MQ-9B, Contributing to Japan’s Security Objectives

SAN DIEGO – 26 August 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Fujitsu Limited (Fujitsu) today announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the establishment of maintenance and operational support capabilities for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Japan as well as their commitment to future technical collaboration.

Under the MOU, the companies will begin examining the establishment of a framework under which Fujitsu would provide domestic maintenance and operational support for the MQ-9B, an unmanned aircraft developed and manufactured by GA-ASI for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The scope of the discussions includes avionics maintenance, parts management, maintenance training, and maintenance support services within Japan. The companies will also explore future technical collaboration in areas related to mission systems, systems integration, and other technologies.

Both companies aim to establish a sustainable and secure operational foundation for UAS in Japan. To this end, they will conduct phased evaluations of technologies and business opportunities related to design, manufacturing, and testing capabilities, contributing to Japan’s security requirements. In addition to establishing operational support capabilities, the companies will explore future opportunities related to mission systems and systems integration.

As security environments around the world continue to grow increasingly complex, Japan faces the challenge of strengthening its wide-area and persistent intelligence-gathering and surveillance capabilities across its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). To strengthen maritime surveillance and support security objectives while improving operational efficiency and reducing manpower requirements, Japan’s Ministry of Defense has announced plan to procure 23 MQ-9B aircraft for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), with its deployment scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2027.

The MQ-9B is capable of remaining airborne for more than 24 hours through satellite-based remote operation and can provide real-time, wide-area situational awareness day and night using advanced sensor systems. Stable operation of the MQ-9B in Japan requires the establishment of domestic maintenance and operational support capabilities to address challenges such as prolonged parts procurement lead times and the recruitment and training of personnel with specialized maintenance expertise.

GA-ASI has extensive experience, technologies, and proven capabilities in UAS design and manufacturing as well as in the operation of complete UAS mission solutions, including sensors and ground control stations.

For more than 10 years, Fujitsu has accumulated experience and expertise in the maintenance and operational support for maritime patrol aircraft operated by the JMSDF.

Building on these strengths, both companies aim to realize sustainable and reliable MQ-9B maintenance and operations in Japan.

Based on this MOU, both companies will advance discussions regarding collaboration to establish maintenance and operational support capabilities. Looking ahead, they will explore technical collaboration and commercialization opportunities in areas including avionics maintenance, field support, maintenance, workforce education and training, parts management, and supply chain capabilities. In addition, they will further support Japan’s security objectives by examining opportunities to enhance UAS operations through integration with related systems and other advanced operational support capabilities.

“This agreement is an important and substantial step in our efforts to provide optimal support to our Japanese customers. We are excited to leverage Fujitsu’s proven excellence and expertise in maintenance and operational support as we expand the utility of our unmanned aircraft systems in Japan,” said Zachary Stang, Regional Vice President for General Atomics Global.

Kenichiro Miyazaki, Head of National Security Business Unit for Fujitsu Limited, said: “We are delighted to have signed this MOU with GA-ASI to explore collaboration opportunities related to the MQ-9B. Leveraging the technological capabilities Fujitsu has cultivated in the defense sector, as well as our extensive experience in maintenance and operational support, we will contribute to strengthening a sustainable maintenance framework for the MQ-9B in Japan. This MOU marks the first step toward advancing the collaboration between our companies. Looking ahead, we will explore opportunities not only in maintenance and operational support, but also in further technical collaboration, contributing to a stronger security foundation and a stable defense operation in Japan.”

Posted in International, Press Release, UAS | No Comments »

Rheinmetall Receives First Order for a Modular Camp Under the German Armed Forces Contractor Augmentation Program II – Static Accommodation in Lithuania

Thursday, August 27th, 2026

Rheinmetall has received an initial call-off from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Infrastructure, Environmental Protection and Services (BAIUDBw) under the German Armed Forces Contractor Augmentation Program II – Static Accommodation (G-CAP II SU). In Lithuania, the group will now, as the main contractor, build a modular camp for up to 2,000 soldiers, which is due to become operational from mid-August 2027. Following commissioning, Rheinmetall will be responsible for facility management, including laundry, as well as catering. The order value for the construction of the modular facility amounts to €250 million, while the subsequent operation is valued at €40 million annually. The order was booked in Q3/2026.

The G-CAP II SU programme provides static accommodation for soldiers during deployment and standby commitments in the context of international crisis management and national and collective defence, irrespective of the climatic, geographical and geological conditions in the country of deployment. Pre-planned modular infrastructure covered by the framework agreement, from manufacture through transport, construction and operation to dismantling, forms the core of G-CAP II SU. Since these steps are standardised and can be called off from a single contractor, the entire process is accelerated. In this case, the contract was used to support the Bundeswehr in fulfilling its mission in Lithuania.

The G-CAP II SU project, initiated by BAIUDBw, aims to enable private-sector service providers to provide static accommodation during deployment. By enabling the private sector to establish such infrastructure, the Bundeswehr can conserve its own resources and keep them available for high-threat situations.

Rheinmetall is responsible for the planning, manufacturing and delivery of camps worldwide – by sea, land or air as required – as well as their construction, multi-year autonomous operation and subsequent dismantling.

Posted in Contracts, International, Shelter | No Comments »

Saab Signs Long-Term Agreement for Camouflage Systems with the Netherlands

Thursday, August 27th, 2026

Saab has signed a long-term agreement with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence for the Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System. Saab has also received a first order within the agreement, with deliveries in the coming years.

The agreement, which runs over multiple years, enables the Netherlands to place orders and equip their vehicles with Saab’s Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System.

“We are proud to support the Royal Netherlands Army with our advanced multispectral camouflage solutions, helping to protect its vehicle fleet from detection across the modern sensor spectrum, strengthening survivability and mobility on the battlefield,” says Henning Robach, head of Saab’s business unit Barracuda.

The initial order is for the Royal Netherlands Army’s existing Fennek and Panzerhaubitz vehicles. The agreement also includes options to equip additional vehicle types in the future.

Saab’s Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System is tailor-made for a perfect fit for any vehicle, with woodland, urban or arctic camouflage patterns and can be deployed in any environment.

Posted in Camo, Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »

Kongsberg to Deliver Remote Weapon Systems to Canada

Monday, August 24th, 2026

KONGSBERG, NORWAY – Aug. 20, 2026 – Kongsberg has signed a contract with General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada (‘GDLS-Canada’) valued at NOK 1.1 billion for the delivery of Protector RS4 Remote Weapon Systems. These systems will be integrated onto the Canadian Army’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV).

The contract represents a continuation of the established partnership between Kongsberg and GDLS-Canada. This order is a follow-on procurement of RS4 systems for the ACSV program, building on previous deliveries to the same platform.

“This contract confirms our customer’s confidence in the Protector systems and further strengthens our long-term partnership with GDLS-Canada. We are proud that the RS4 continues to be selected as a key capability for the Canadian Armed Forces’ modern vehicle fleet,” said Kjetil Reiten Myhra, Executive Vice President, Kongsberg and President of the Defence Systems division.

Kongsberg has previously delivered RS4 systems to GDLS-Canada for integration on ACSV vehicles. The new deliveries will further enhance and expand the operational capabilities of the Canadian Army.

The RS4 is part of Kongsberg’s Protector family of Remote Weapon Systems, providing high levels of protection, flexibility, and situational awareness for vehicle crews.

The Protector RS4 is an advanced Remote Weapon System designed to enhance survivability, precision, and operational flexibility for modern military vehicles. The system is in service with defence customers worldwide and can be integrated onto a wide range of vehicle platforms.

Posted in Admin, Contracts, International, Press Release, weapons | No Comments »

Tiberius Aerospace Announces Invictus Has Moved into Formal Engineering Testing and Evaluation, Bringing Scalable Long-Range Precision Strike Across Multiple Domains

Friday, August 21st, 2026

Tiberius Aerospace, the modern defense technology company building next-generation weapon systems and AI-powered defense solutions for the United States, United Kingdom and allied nations, today announced that Invictus is moving from early laboratory investigation to prove the concept into formal engineering Test & Evaluation (T&E) development, marking a major step towards fielding its next-generation long-range precision strike system.

Invictus is a tube-launched, multi-mission system designed for integration across multiple platforms and domains. Its architecture is intended to support launch from vertical launch systems and autonomous vehicles operating across land and sea, giving warfighters greater flexibility in how long-range precision effects are delivered.

Tiberius Aerospace launched its first ramjet munition, Sceptre, in May 2025 and recently announced successful ramjet ignition during live firing in the US. This rapid development and learning has facilitated the accelerated transition of the Invictus programme from exploratory laboratory development into a proven engineering program focused on validating propulsion, flight performance, guidance, platform integration and manufacturability through formal testing. Direct- connect testing of the Invictus ramjet engine is already underway at Purdue’s Zucrow Laboratories, where the engine has demonstrated excellent operability using Jet-A across all conditions tested to date.

The program is advancing against an increasingly urgent strategic challenge: the need for the United States and its allies to rebuild long-range precision strike capacity faster than traditional defense production can replenish it. The U.S. Army used virtually all of its stockpile of ATACMS and Precision Strike Missiles during the five-month conflict with Iran, intensifying concerns about readiness for future contingencies. Across Europe, Western missile inventories have also come under growing pressure, driving NATO governments and manufacturers to accelerate production and rebuild stockpiles.

Invictus is being designed to address both capability and capacity, combining long-range precision with an architecture built for adaptability and scale. The Invictus-200 will pair a ramjet with an integral booster to deliver speeds up to Mach 3 and precision strike at ranges of up to 200 kilometres, with targeting precision of 5.5-meter CEP depending on guidance configuration. Its 10– 15 kilogram payload capacity and modular, open architecture will allow the system to be configured for different missions and evolve as operational requirements change.

“The move into formal engineering, testing and evaluation is a major step toward turning Invictus from a promising technology into a deployable capability,” said Chad Steelberg, Founder and CEO of Tiberius Aerospace. “Invictus and Sceptre have been designed from first principles to deliver cost-effective lethality from the outset, using our AI powered platform GRAIL to maximize the combat effect delivered for every dollar spent by simplifying the weapon, engineering it for high-volume production and building in an open architecture that can evolve without replacing the entire system. We have used GRAIL to enable a Silicon Valley approach to product development, connecting program requirements with domestic and allied suppliers capable of producing components and systems and therefore supporting a broader and more resilient industrial base. Invictus will bring together long-range precision, multi-domain flexibility, cost-effective lethality and scalable production in a weapon designed not only for today’s operational requirements, but for continuous adaptation throughout its service life.”

Posted in International, Munitions, Press Release | No Comments »

Mehler Protection and UF PRO to Showcase Protection and Tactical Clothing Solutions at The Emergency Services Show 2026

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

FULDA, GERMANY, KOMENDA, SLOVENIA (19 August 2026)

Mehler Protection and UF PRO, brands of the Mehler Systems Group, will exhibit at The Emergency Services Show 2026, taking place on 16–17 September at the NEC Birmingham, United Kingdom. Visitors can meet the teams in Hall 5 at Stand G42.

The Emergency Services Show brings together professionals from across police, fire and rescue, ambulance, search and rescue, and other frontline services to explore the equipment, technologies and solutions shaping emergency response, resilience and public safety.

Mehler Protection and UF PRO will present ballistic protection and tactical clothing for a range of applications, from everyday police duties to specialist tactical operations and challenging environmental conditions.

Mehler Protection will present a selection of modular and configurable personal protection solutions, including the HYVE modular vest system and the M.U.S.T. modular protection system. The display will also feature the overt vests, hard and soft ballistic protection, and ballistic helmets, providing an overview of the company’s capabilities across different law enforcement applications.

UF PRO will showcase tactical clothing designed to support mobility, durability and comfort during extended operational use. The selection will include products from the P-40 range for everyday police and response duties, as well as combat clothing from the Striker family for more demanding tactical operations.

Flame-retardant clothing will form an important part of the presentation. The Striker X FR Combat Shirt and Combat Pants are designed for operations where protection against heat and flame must be combined with mobility, comfort and compatibility with tactical equipment.

Visitors will also be able to explore UF PRO outerwear for changing weather and temperature conditions, including softshell, winter and wet-weather solutions from the Hunter, Delta, AcE and Monsoon ranges. Selected garments will be available for try-on, allowing visitors to experience their fit, mobility and functionality first-hand.

By exhibiting together at The Emergency Services Show, Mehler Protection and UF PRO will provide police and emergency-service professionals with an opportunity to explore both individual products and complete equipment configurations developed around different operational needs.

Visit Mehler Protection and UF PRO in Hall 5, Stand G42, at The Emergency Services Show, taking place on 16–17 September 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Posted in Advertiser, International, Press Release, Tradeshow | No Comments »

Denmark Selects Terma to Deliver Nationwide Counter-Drone Defense System

Thursday, August 20th, 2026

Terma will deliver a sovereign, integrated counter-drone defense system that connects existing and future sensors into one shared drone situational picture. With AI-supported processing of sensor data, the system will give the Danish Armed Forces and other authorities a stronger foundation to detect, understand and act on drone threats in real time.

Per Pugholm Olsen, Head of DALO (Left) and Terma CEO Henriette Hallberg (Right)

Lystrup, Denmark – 19 August 2026 – The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has entered into an agreement with Terma for the delivery of a new, integrated command-and-control system for counter-drone defense. The system will create a shared drone situational picture for the Danish Armed Forces and other authorities.

“I am pleased to sign this agreement, which will strengthen Denmark’s ability to maintain an up-to date drone situational picture. This new agreement with Terma is an important cornerstone in the ongoing effort to build a strong counter-drone capability, both within the Danish Armed Forces and Danish industry,” says Lieutenant General Per Pugholm Olsen, Chief of DALO.

From individual sensors to a shared drone situational picture

Denmark already operates sensors across the Armed Forces, civilian authorities and critical infrastructure, but today the information remains in separate systems and at different locations. The solution is built on Terma Helion, Terma’s sovereign multi-domain data backbone. Helion connects existing and future sensors and brings their data together into one shared drone situational picture. The platform integrates distributed systems and transforms large volumes of data into information that supports tactical decision-making at both local and central levels.

“In a security environment where drones represent a persistent and growing threat, the ability to detect, classify and act on threats across domains is fundamental to national security,” says Henriette H. Thygesen, CEO of Terma. “The ability to connect sensors, process data and turn information into timely decision support is essential to effective counter-drone defense. By creating a shared drone situational picture, we give the Danish Armed Forces and other authorities a strong foundation to act faster and with greater confidence. We are proud of the trust Denmark has placed in Terma. It confirms our ability to deliver mission-critical defense solutions that strengthen security in Denmark and across Europe.”

The solution also integrates OSL Technology’s FACE® platform for command and control and data fusion. OSL Technology became part of Terma in 2025. FACE brings together and processes data from Terma’s radar and surveillance technologies as well as third-party sensors and countermeasures. AI supports the processing, classification and prioritization of sensor data, enabling operators to rapidly identify and act on relevant incidents.

The solution builds on OSL Technology’s operational experience from complex civilian and military environments. Since 2019, OSL has been the prime contractor and system integrator for Heathrow Airport’s counter-drone system and also delivers counter-drone systems to the Ørland and Evenes air bases under a multi-year framework agreement with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (FMA). Combined with Terma’s radar, surveillance and multi-domain capabilities, this creates a market-leading, open and modular counter-drone solution.

National control and flexibility for future threats

The solution will ensure national control over operational sensor data while enabling technologies from multiple suppliers to be integrated. It will be delivered in cooperation with other Danish industry partners and draw on expertise from across the Danish defense industry.

The scalable architecture allows sensors, sites, countermeasures and other capabilities to be continuously added over time. The solution can therefore support the management of drone incidents at military installations, airports, ports, energy facilities, government buildings and other critical infrastructure.

Facts

Together, the technologies enable authorities to:

Detect, classify and track drone activity
Fuse and prioritize sensor data using AI
Maintain a shared drone situational picture
Coordinate decisions and actions at Danish Armed Forces locations
Integrate new sensors and countermeasures as threats evolve

Posted in C-UAS, Contracts, International, Press Release | No Comments »