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Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions Unites Germany’s NewSpace Capabilities for Sovereign Reconnaissance from Space

Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

Berlin, 10 June 2026 – Rheinmetall and ICEYE are establishing new space-based reconnaissance capabilities for Germany through their joint venture, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH. Initial partners are the leading German NewSpace companies Reflex Aerospace, OroraTech, ConstellR and LiveEO.

Modern conflicts are decided by how quickly critical data becomes available. Space-based reconnaissance, AI-enabled processing and rapid target acquisition are no longer future capabilities – they define operational reality today. Strategic autonomy in space has become an immediate operational requirement: the ability to collect, process and act on sovereign intelligence independently and at scale is a prerequisite for credible and cutting-edge defence.

“The challenge is not access to data, but connecting existing capabilities in a way that enables operational decision-making across domains. Germany already has the technological building blocks for sovereign space-based reconnaissance. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions integrates them into a single operational architecture,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall.

“Europe’s security depends on what Europe can see. We have already proven that a sovereign space system can be operational within twelve months. Now Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions builds on this foundation by connecting Germany’s leading NewSpace capabilities in an open architecture. This is how Europe creates true strategic autonomy from space,” said Rafa? Modrzewski, Co-Founder and CEO of ICEYE.

Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions integrates, for the first time, key capabilities of the German NewSpace and defence ecosystem into a unified, end-to-end architecture for space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).

This partnership therefore unlocks a unique multi-modal Earth observation capability today. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions acts as a catalyst for the German space innovation ecosystem, transforming state-of-the-art capabilities into a functioning, integrated system. By integrating sensors, analytics, command support and operational effects across the domains of space, air, land, sea and cyber, space-based reconnaissance is made usable where decisions are taken.

The approach deliberately follows an open architecture. The objective is not to create isolated entities, but to build an open, resilient, expandable and long-term sovereign ISR platform. The partnership lays the foundation for scalable, long-term security and defence capabilities in Germany and Europe.

Further information on Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH can be found here (press release from November 2025 on the establishment of the joint venture):

www.rheinmetall.com/en/media/news-watch/news/2025/11/2025-11-07-space-based-reconnaissance-from-the-lower-rhine-region

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

New Leadership of Technology Systems Division at Rohde & Schwarz

Monday, June 8th, 2026

On July 1, 2026, Hansjörg Herrbold and Andreas Hägele will take over as Executive Vice Presidents Technology Systems at Rohde & Schwarz. They follow Dr. Luis Alejandro Orellano, who will leave the company on June 30 at his own request. The decision to establish a dual leadership position is a logical next step to align the division even more consistently with customers and markets.

Munich, June 5, 2026 — Rohde & Schwarz relies on two experienced, entrepreneurial managers with a strategic vision. Hansjörg Herrbold and Andreas Hägele will strategically divide responsibility for the different topics of the Technology Systems Division.

Herrbold has more than 20 years of experience in defense at Rohde & Schwarz, providing comprehensive knowledge of customers and their requirements. Among other things, he led the naval communications segment on a long-term growth path. Most recently, he headed the Information and Business Technology Division and was a member of the group’s Corporate Management in this role.

Hägele has extensive expertise in critical infrastructure and physical security. In his five years with Rohde & Schwarz, he has established the Microwave Imaging business unit and particularly led the R&S QPS security scanner to success. More than 2,000 scanners are now used at airports around the world to ensure secure, convenient passenger screening. Prior to that, he worked at a digital security company, where he was managing director and was responsible for several hundred million euros in revenue.

In their new position, Hansjörg Herrbold and Andreas Hägele will remain or become members of the Corporate Management of Rohde & Schwarz.

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

Mehler Protection to Showcase Body and Platform Protection Solutions at Eurosatory 2026

Monday, June 8th, 2026

FULDA, KÖNIGSLUTTER, GERMANY (05 June 2026)

Mehler Protection, part of Mehler Systems and a leading provider of ballistic body and platform protection solutions, will present its latest developments at Eurosatory 2026, taking place from 15–19 June in Paris.

Visitors can meet the team in Hall 5B, Stand C220, where Mehler Protection will showcase a broad portfolio of protection solutions ranging from advanced platform armour systems to personal protection equipment. With Eurosatory serving as one of the defence industry’s most important meeting points, the brand will place particular emphasis on its platform armour capabilities, highlighting solutions designed to enhance vehicle survivability and occupant protection.

Among the key exhibits will be SCILT, Mehler Protection’s close-range Counter-UAS system designed to protect vehicles against FPV drones, loitering munitions, and other small aerial threats approaching from short distances and low angles. Developed as a dedicated last layer of vehicle protection, SCILT addresses a growing capability gap between conventional air-defence systems and passive armour solutions.

In addition, visitors will gain an early insight into a new protected mobility concept developed in cooperation with a major European vehicle manufacturer. The project highlights the flexibility of Mehler Protection’s M-RACC protection architecture and its ability to support a broad range of operational requirements while maintaining a strong focus on occupant protection, operational flexibility, and mission effectiveness. Further details regarding the project will be announced before Eurosatory.

Alongside its platform protection portfolio, Mehler Protection will present a comprehensive range of personal protection systems for military and law enforcement applications.

Among the highlights will be the latest generation of the ExoM Exoskeleton, a passive load-bearing system designed to reduce operator burden while improving mobility under heavy loads. Visitors will also be able to explore the full M.U.S.T. configuration, a modular protection system that can be scaled according to mission requirements.

Additional exhibits will include the MOBAST protective vest system developed for the German Armed Forces, covert and overt body armour systems, military waistcoats, plate carriers, soft- and hard-ballistic protection solutions, ballistic helmets, and shields.

Eurosatory remains one of the world’s leading defence and security exhibitions, bringing together armed forces, procurement authorities, industry representatives, and technology providers from around the globe.

Learn more about Mehler Protection: mehler-protection.com

Posted in Advertiser, International, Press Release, Tradeshow | 1 Comment »

Major Historic International Contract for Rheinmetall: Romania Orders Lynx Combat Vehicles, Vessels and Air Defence Systems Worth a Total of €5.7 billion

Thursday, June 4th, 2026

Rheinmetall has secured the largest international contract package in the company’s recent history. Romania has now commissioned the Düsseldorf-based technology group to carry out extensive defence projects.

The contract package was awarded on 29 May 2026 by the Directorate General for Armaments and falls under the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. The contracts for the manufacture of combat vehicles, air defence systems, ammunition and ammunition components and naval vessels have a total value of €5.7 billion. The relevant contracts have now been signed. To fulfil the orders, Rheinmetall will significantly expand its existing capacities in Romania, which have been in place for many years, and will also ensure technology transfer. A large proportion of the value added will be generated in this NATO and EU member state. Deliveries are scheduled to begin 2028 and be completed by 2030.

The defence projects now commissioned include:

• 298 Lynx vehicles, a latest-generation family of combat vehicles. The majority will be armoured personnel carriers, along with reconnaissance, command post and medical variants;
• Skyranger air defence systems, also based on the Lynx. Until these are introduced, Rheinmetall will keep the Gepard anti-aircraft gun armoured vehicles currently in use operational;
• medium-calibre ammunition for air defence and armoured personnel carriers;
• two offshore patrol vessels;
• two diver support vessels. All vessels are based on the proven design of the new Naval Systems segment.

Rheinmetall is set to invest several hundred million euros in Romania, with a significant proportion of the value added being generated in this NATO and EU member state on the Alliance’s eastern flank. The project is expected to create thousands of new jobs. Over 200 subcontractors will be integrated into the supply network.
Romania is already one of Rheinmetall’s home markets. Its subsidiary Rheinmetall Automecanica, based in Medias, has been active there for many years. The major contracts now awarded will also be carried out at other sites.

Mihai Jurca, Head of the Prime Minister’s Office and Coordinator of the inter-institutional working group on the implementation of the SAFE Plan, said: “The contract concluded between the Romanian authorities and Rheinmetall represents not only an opportunity to modernise Romania’s defence capabilities, but also an important step towards revitalising the national defence industry, as over 50% of production will take place in Romania or in collaboration with local companies. It marks the beginning of a new phase of industrial development that has the potential to become a key driver of Romania’s economic growth and the integration of local industry into the European ecosystem over the next decade.”

“This is a significant success for us. We are grateful for the trust that Romania has placed in us regarding the equipping and modernisation of its armed forces,” said Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “Together with our Romanian partners, we will establish a far-reaching defence ecosystem here. This also confirms our ambition to further expand our role as one of the industrial pillars of European security.”

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

Milrem Robotics and VDL Defentec Hand Over First UGVs Intended for Ukraine

Thursday, June 4th, 2026

Milrem Robotics, the world’s leading developer of robotics and autonomous systems, and Dutch company VDL Defentec have officially opened a THeMIS unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) production line in Born, the Netherlands. During yesterday’s opening ceremony, the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands were handed over to the Dutch government for onward delivery to Ukraine.

The production line was established to support the Netherlands-funded delivery of more than 100 THeMIS unmanned ground vehicles to Ukraine. Deliveries are being coordinated through Milrem Robotics’ Dutch subsidiary in cooperation with VDL Defentec.

The final assembly line established at the Born facility has been designed for flexibility, enabling rapid scaling of production capacity and accelerated deliveries when required. In addition to supporting Ukraine, the new manufacturing capability lays the foundation for long-term cooperation between Milrem Robotics and VDL Defentec while strengthening Europe’s defence industrial capacity.

“The opening of this production line and the handover of the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands mark an important milestone in our cooperation with the Dutch government and VDL Defentec. It demonstrates that Europe’s defence industry is capable of rapidly increasing production capacity and delivering meaningful capabilities to Ukraine. Therefore, this cooperation with VDL is a great fit because of their solid industrial scaling capabilities to serve the European market with Milrem products,” said Kuldar Väärsi, CEO of Milrem Robotics.

Willem van der Leegte, CEO of VDL Groep, highlighted the importance of European industrial cooperation: “The handover of the first THeMIS vehicles produced at our Born facility demonstrates that European companies can jointly establish new manufacturing capabilities at speed and support international security efforts. We are proud of our cooperation with Milrem Robotics, and the delivery of the first THeMIS vehicles manufactured in the Netherlands is an important achievement for this partnership.”

The new vehicles will join the THeMIS platforms already operating in Ukraine since 2022, where they have repeatedly proven their reliability and effectiveness in combat conditions.l

THeMIS is a versatile unmanned ground vehicle designed to support infantry units in logistics, reconnaissance, combat support, and other battlefield tasks. The platform is currently in use or part of robotics programmes in 20 countries, making it the world’s most widely used UGV in its class.

Milrem Robotics is a global leader in robotics and autonomous systems development, with offices in Estonia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Poland, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates.

In addition to the THeMIS UGV, Milrem Robotics is developing the HAVOC robotic combat vehicle, the VECTOR unmanned ground vehicle, and a range of autonomous capabilities, including the ARCOS command-and-control system.

The company is also known for successfully leading the European defence development programme iMUGS under the EDIDP framework, with the follow-on project iMUGS2 currently in preparation.

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

Deal Finalised: Rheinmetall Divests its Civilian Division and Focuses on its Defence Business

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026

With the sale of its civilian activities, the Rheinmetall Group has reached a milestone in its strategic realignment. Rheinmetall and the Munich-based industrial group AEQUITA have now signed a purchase agreement that paves the way for the future of Rheinmetall’s former Power Systems division under new management.

For some time now, Rheinmetall has been focusing on the rapidly growing business with military customers and security agencies, while at the same time expanding its technological portfolio into the domains of air, sea and space. Since last year, the Group has been in talks with potential buyers for its civilian business, which have now been successfully concluded with the signing of an agreement to sell it to AEQUITA.

The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2026, is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities. The provisional purchase price for 100% of the shares is €350 million and is subject to standard market adjustment mechanisms until closing. The actual final purchase price may therefore differ from this figure.

Following the sale of its large- and small-bore piston operations in 2023/2024, Rheinmetall is now, as announced, taking the decisive step in its exit from the automotive supplier business.

The Power Systems division, which generated sales of around €2 billion in 2025, has been classified as a “discontinued operation” of the Group since the reporting for the fourth quarter of 2025.

All employees will be retained

AEQUITA intends to retain all of the approximately 6,250 Power Systems employees working worldwide at the companies being acquired. AEQUITA regards the highly qualified staff and their skills as the most important asset for future business development and will take on the entire workforce within the framework outlined above.

AEQUITA will operate the former Rheinmetall Power Systems division as an independent entity, with all trademark rights remaining within the company. The company will continue to operate on the market as usual under its long-established brands Pierburg, Kolbenschmidt and Motorservice.

“This is a significant milestone in the company’s history. We are focusing on the high-margin business with military customers, where we have excellent growth opportunities. Our stated objective was to place our civilian business operations in capable hands. We have found an excellent buyer in AEQUITA,” says Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “The internationally successful industrial

holding company combines extensive experience in the industrial and automotive sectors with a focus on entrepreneurship, transformation and a long-term perspective.”

“This makes AEQUITA the ideal partner to work with the Power Systems management team to implement the strategy that has been developed and to ensure the long-term success of the Kolbenschmidt and Pierburg brands in the market,” explains Marcus Gerlach, lead negotiator for Rheinmetall AG.

“We are very proud that Rheinmetall has chosen AEQUITA as the new owner of the Power Systems division. The company is an excellent addition to our Automotive division, which will now generate revenues of approximately €5 billion. In the years to come, our focus will be on actively supporting the long-term, successful and sustainable development of the company. This also involves realising synergies within our automotive portfolio,” says Dr Axel Geuer, Chairman and Co-CEO of AEQUITA.

KS Huayu AluTech, Dermalog SensorTec and the Abadiano plant in Spain are excluded from the sale

Excluded from the sale are the three German locations of KS Huayu AluTech GmbH (Neckarsulm, Walldürn and Langenhagen), which will remain within the Rheinmetall Group as a joint venture in the medium term – and continue to be classified as a “discontinued operation”.

The stake in Dermalog SensorTec GmbH, however, will remain within the Rheinmetall Group on a permanent basis. It will be integrated into the Weapon and Ammunition division, and its employees will continue to be based at the Neuss location.

Pierburg S.A.’s Abadiano plant in Spain will also remain with Rheinmetall, along with its workforce and tangible assets. For a transitional period, it will operate as a hybrid site, manufacturing both civilian and military products until the switch to military production is complete.

Posted in Industry, International, Press Release | Comments Off on Deal Finalised: Rheinmetall Divests its Civilian Division and Focuses on its Defence Business

D&M Holding Company Acquires Czech-Based EKOCHEM 94 s.r.o.

Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026

TAMPA, FL (June 3, 2026) – D&M Holding Company, Inc. (D&M), the global leader in delivering complete solutions for ammunition, primer, and propellant manufacturing facilities, has acquired EKOCHEM 94 s.r.o. of the Czech Republic. This acquisition further strengthens D&M’s capabilities as the company continues to support the United States, NATO allies, Ukraine, and other friendly foreign governments seeking long-term ammunition independence.

Headquartered in Pardubice, Czech Republic, EKOCHEM 94 is an engineering, design, and industrial project company specializing in chemical, mechanical, and process industries, including for propellants and propellant raw materials. Its specialties include:

nitrocellulose production equipment
propellant production equipment
design of complete energetics
distillation systems
combustible cartridge case production lines
diethyl ether production lines
explosive-material processing equipment

“The acquisition of EKOCHEM 94 is a key part of our aggressive global growth strategy as we extend our footprint in Europe and beyond,” said Dan Powers, President and CEO, D&M Holding Company. “Escalating global conflicts and supply chain issues are driving the soaring demand for reliable supplies of ammunition, primers, and propellants. This geopolitical instability has created deep urgency among nations for ammunition independence. They want to manufacture it themselves, and we are uniquely positioned to help them do that.”

“We are pleased to become a part of the D&M family and look forward to expanding our capabilities,” said Boris Fukatko, founder and President of EKOCHEM 94.

As friendly nations race to achieve their defense industrialization goals, D&M is increasingly sought after as a trusted, specialized design, engineering, and manufacturing partner. D&M not only manufactures the machinery and systems needed to build ammunition; the company also trains its clients and transfers the technical knowledge required to operate facilities independently.

About D&M Holding Company

D&M Holding Company, Inc. (D&M) is an ammunition and energetics engineering company headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with additional operations in Cabot, Arkansas. D&M specializes in the design and manufacture of ammunition and energetics equipment, as well as in the turnkey factory solutions for customers worldwide. D&M Holding International Sp. z o.o. in Warsaw, Poland is D&M’s European sales office which supports international sales and Ukraine projects. D&M Novatrax, LLC, based in Kyiv, Ukraine is an engineering and investment company dedicated to the Ukraine defense industry. White River Energetics, LLC (WRE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M, located in Des Arc, Arkansas, with the objective of manufacturing energetics for the ammunition industry.

For more information visit D&M Holding Company and White River Energetics.

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

Naerogel by Svenska Aerogel – A New Platform Driving Future Innovation and Commercialization

Monday, June 1st, 2026

Svenska Aerogel (“the Company”) is launching Naerogel®, a new brand for the Company’s high-performance aerogel material. The launch marks the next step in the Company’s development – from research and industrialization to a growing global commercial platform. The new brand replaces the previous product name Quartzene® and reflects Svenska Aerogel’s continued advancement in aerogel material solutions.

In recent years, Svenska Aerogel has focused on industrializing and commercializing its aerogel material for a global market. Naerogel® builds on more than two decades of research and development in aerogel technology, with strong roots in Nordic innovation, quality, and customer-driven development. Through structured innovation efforts and close collaboration with customers, the Company has continuously improved the material’s performance.

The material builds on the same technological platform and high-performance porous aerogel structure as Quartzene®, while offering customers an enhanced material designed to meet increasing demands for energy efficiency and thermal insulation.

Naerogel® offers:

Up to 15 % improved thermal insulation performance
Material manufactured using silica, water, and only renewable energy
A flexible and scalable platform for future innovation and product development

Customized solutions based on specific market and application needs, strengthening existing use cases while enabling new applications

“Naerogel® represents both our history and our future. In recent years, we have continued to develop our aerogel material based on market needs, enabling us to offer more efficient products and innovative solutions to our customers. At the same time, it provides a platform for further material development and new applications. With Naerogel®, we are now taking the next step in strengthening our position in the international market,” says Tor Einar Norbakk, CEO of Svenska Aerogel.

aerogel.se

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