TAMPA, Fla. \u2014 Two defense technology companies from Norway and Germany have joined forces to bolster Europe\u2019s sovereign intelligence and communications capabilities, with plans to start deploying small satellites in about three years.<\/p>\n
The partnership, announced Dec. 10 between Germany\u2019s Helsing and Norway\u2019s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA), comes as European governments seek greater deterrence amid increasing strategic importance of space-based intelligence.<\/p>\n
German defense firm Hensoldt plans to provide sensors for the effort, which would use German launch startup Isar Aerospace\u2019s facilities in And\u00f8ya, Norway, as preferred launch provider.<\/p>\n
Trond Hegrestad, KDA\u2019s vice president of small satellites, said the partners are plotting to deploy \u201ca substantial number\u201d of low Earth orbit spacecraft.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a single program, but a strategic cooperation covering multiple needs (ISR, satcom, and space situational awareness) leveraging our combined capabilities,\u201d he said via email.<\/p>\n
The companies declined to disclose financial details, including funding plans or any customer commitments.<\/p>\n
The partnership envisions setting up production facilities in Germany to improve sovereign European defense capabilities.<\/p>\n
Leveraging strengths<\/p>\n
The collaboration aims to combine KDA\u2019s satellite manufacturing, operations and ground station network via Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) with Helsing\u2019s artificial intelligence-driven software, fusing data ranging from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and electro-optical imagery to radio frequency emissions for satellite imagery analysis.<\/p>\n
The intelligence, surveillance and targeting (IST) constellation would also include an interconnected communications layer, leveraging on-board AI algorithms Helsing has deployed in orbit for data analysis.<\/p>\n
\u201cEurope\u2019s security depends on sovereign sensing and intelligence,\u201d Hensoldt CEO Oliver D\u00f6rre said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy combining Norway\u2019s satellite expertise with Hensoldt\u2019s advanced SAR, electro-optical and electronic-intelligence sensors, we can build a resilient space architecture that gives Europe the information advantage it needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
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