Two defense technology companies, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) (Norway) and Helsinki (Germany) joined forces, to strengthen Europe's sovereign intelligence and communications capabilities. The plan is to start deploying small satellites in about three years.
10 December 2025 year, the companies announced a partnership, which appeared against the background of the desire of European governments to strengthen deterrence due to the growing strategic importance of space intelligence. The German defense company Hensoldt will provide sensors for the project, and the launches will be carried out mainly from the site of the German startup Isar Aerospace in Andea (Norway).
KDA's vice president for small satellites reported, that the partners plan to deploy a "significant number" of vehicles in low Earth orbit. This strategic cooperation covers several needs at once - intelligence, observation and reconnaissance (ISR), satellite communication and space awareness (SSA). At the same time, the partnership provides for the creation of production facilities in Germany to increase Europe's sovereign defense capabilities.
The collaboration brings together the production of KDA satellites, operation and network of ground stations of Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) with Helsing software based on artificial intelligence (NE), which is capable of real-time processing of synthetic aperture radar data (SAR), electro-optical images and radio frequency signals. A reconnaissance group was created, observation and guidance (IS) will also have its own interconnected communication layer and on-board Helsing AI algorithms, which have already been tested in orbit for data analysis.
CEO Hensoldt emphasized that, that Europe's security depends on sovereign means of surveillance and intelligence, therefore combining Norwegian satellite expertise with Hensoldt's advanced sensors, there will be an opportunity to build sustainable space architecture, which will give Europe an advantage in information.
Source: https://spacenews.com