The first aircraft for Germany’s PEGASUS airborne signals intelligence programme has arrived in Hamburg, beginning the system integration and certification phase led by HENSOLDT, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense.
Global defence revenues surged to a record $679 billion in 2024, driven by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and rising geopolitical tensions, according to new SIPRI data. The world’s 100 biggest arms makers saw sales grow 5.9 percent, with strong increases in Europe and steady dominance by U.S. firms. SpaceX entered the Top 100 for the first time, while China posted a rare decline due to procurement disruptions.
Hensoldt has launched MDOcore, a ‘universal translator’ in the form of a software suite designed to enable cross-domain integration of military sensor and effector systems, supporting faster data processing and interoperability across defence networks.
Dassault’s new Rafale line isn’t just about speeding up deliveries. It’s also important for the future F5 upgrade. And to boost France’s position in Europe’s next-gen FCAS fighter drama. 🎥
The Ukraine war and expanding global conflict showered a windfall on German arms companies like Rheinmetall and TKMS, with some startups like Helsing becoming the upstarts of the weapons industry, and other legacy companies like Heckler & Koch even experiencing a dramatic reversal of fortunes.
