ARX Robotics Expands to the UK with £45M Investment
German start-up ARX Robotics is expanding into the UK with a £45 million investment, creating 90 jobs at a new production facility in southwest England. This move follows the company’s success in Ukraine and its ongoing collaboration with NATO. ARX’s unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), such as the flexible “Gereon” model, are already being tested by the British Armed Forces.
The new facility will have a production capacity of up to 1,800 vehicles annually and will play a key role in strengthening European defence autonomy. ARX has partnered with British defence companies to build a robust development and manufacturing network. British Defence Minister John Healey welcomed the investment, emphasizing its contribution to Europe’s security and defence capabilities.
CEO Marc Wietfeld highlighted that the expansion supports both economic growth and technological sovereignty, further enhancing the UK’s defence posture. ARX’s systems, already deployed by the German Armed Forces and along NATO’s eastern flank, aim to accelerate digital transformation within British land forces, focusing on integrating advanced technologies like drones and AI.
The company also plans to expand its R&D activities in the UK to tailor systems specifically for the British military’s needs.
Rheinmetall Acquires Hagedorn-NC for Ammunition Production
Rheinmetall AG has acquired Hagedorn-NC GmbH, a producer of cellulose nitrate based in Osnabrück, Germany. The acquisition secures access to a vital source of raw materials essential for propellant charges, primarily used in military ammunition like 155mm artillery shells. While Hagedorn-NC has primarily served the civilian market, Rheinmetall plans to refocus production to meet military needs while maintaining some civilian supply.
This move strengthens Rheinmetall’s ammunition production capabilities, enhancing its strategic independence and securing its supply chain for critical components. The company already operates cellulose nitrate production facilities in Switzerland, Spain, and South Africa, and with the addition of Hagedorn-NC, expands its network within Germany. The acquisition will also bring approximately 90 employees into the Rheinmetall Group.
As geopolitical tensions rise, Rheinmetall emphasizes the importance of domestic production in ensuring short response times, security of supply, and technological sovereignty in defence matters.
Orbit Unveils New MPT SatCom Terminals
At the Sea Air Space trade fair in Washington, DC, Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. introduced its MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka SatCom Multipurpose Terminals (MPT), designed for rapid deployment on unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), small vessels, and special forces. These compact and lightweight SATCOM systems offer secure, reliable broadband connectivity within minutes, ideal for missions in GPS-denied or hostile environments.
The MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka are compatible with GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO satellite constellations, providing global coverage with efficient bandwidth use. Their MIL-STD-compliant design ensures reliable performance in harsh maritime conditions, while their compact size is perfect for space-constrained platforms.
Orbit’s CEO, Daniel Eshchar, highlighted the importance of these systems in modern naval operations, emphasizing their ability to deliver advanced SATCOM capabilities even in the most compact maritime setups.
Bundeswehr Adopts CBTL’s Digital Authoring Suite
BWI, the Bundeswehr’s IT company, has awarded CBTL Computer Based Training and Learning GmbH a contract for the EVOLUTION³ digital authoring and training platform. Designed to streamline the creation of e-learning content, EVOLUTION³ offers advanced features in didactic capabilities, collaboration, process automation, and information security, tailored to large organizations like the German Armed Forces.
The platform allows for efficient collaboration among hundreds of users, enabling the creation, management, and updating of interactive learning materials. It includes tools for producing a variety of learning formats, including 3D simulations and adaptive learning paths. EVOLUTION³ ensures high-quality content with automated localization and translation.
The Bundeswehr’s decision to adopt EVOLUTION³ aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of digital learning, with centralized management and flexible publishing options for various content formats.
Germany’s Arrow 3 Enhanced by Israeli Combat Experience
Germany’s Arrow 3 air defence system, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), will benefit from software upgrades based on its successful deployment during Israel’s recent conflict. The system intercepted ballistic missiles launched by Iran and its proxy, the Houthi rebels in Yemen. In September 2023, Germany and Israel signed a $3.5 billion agreement for the delivery of Arrow 3, with the first systems scheduled for delivery in 2026.
The upgrades, which include software modifications and improvements for “saturation scenarios,” enhance the system’s performance in intercepting long-range threats. The Arrow 3 has demonstrated its effectiveness in intercepting missiles before they reach Israeli airspace.
IAI is also working on the Arrow 4, an advanced interceptor designed to address future threats, particularly from Iran’s long-range missiles, and replace the Arrow 2 over the next few decades.
Germany Launches Eurofighter Development Centre
Germany has established the “National Eurofighter Test and Development Centre” in Munching, where the Air Force and the Federal Office for the Armed Forces (BAAINBw) will collaborate on the further development of the Bundeswehr’s Eurofighter fleet. The new centre aims to integrate pilot feedback directly into the procurement and development process, streamlining innovation and addressing issues early.
The centre will support the testing and modernization of Eurofighter capabilities, especially with the upcoming Tranche 4 (“Quadriga”) Eurofighters, which are set to enter service between 2025 and 2030. These new aircraft will feature enhanced radar systems for improved target detection. The collaboration, already a longstanding tradition, will further integrate technical support from the Air Force, BAAINBw, and industry partners.
The centre’s establishment follows a cooperation agreement signed in 2024 and is a critical step toward ensuring the readiness and modernization of Germany’s air defence capabilities.
Bundeswehr Heron TP Drone Joins NATO Baltic Mission
The Bundeswehr’s German Heron TP drone has made its first NATO deployment, supporting the Baltic Sentry 2025 mission. Tasked with monitoring critical underwater infrastructure in the Baltic Sea, the drone provides real-time reconnaissance to help detect and deter sabotage activities. The mission comes in response to recent attacks on pipelines and data cables, suspected to be acts of sabotage linked to Russia’s hybrid warfare.
Operating as part of NATO’s enhanced vigilance on its northern and eastern flanks, the Heron TP joins other German assets, such as the F 261 Magdeburg corvette and M 1068 Datteln minehunter, in safeguarding the region. The drone, which was introduced to the Bundeswehr last year, offers long-range surveillance with advanced sensor technology and can operate in challenging weather conditions.
This deployment underscores the Bundeswehr’s commitment to swiftly integrating new technologies into NATO operations, demonstrating the rapid operational capability of modern unmanned systems.
HHLA Sky, Third Element Aviation Merge to Lead EU Drone Tech
HHLA Sky, a mobile robotics specialist and subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG, has merged with German drone manufacturer Third Element Aviation to form a leading European provider of integrated drone and mobile robot solutions. The combined entity will operate under the HHLA Sky name.
This strategic move brings together HHLA Sky’s TÜV-certified Integrated Control Centre (ICC), capable of managing over 100 autonomous drones and robots simultaneously, with Third Element Aviation’s advanced drone manufacturing expertise. The merger aims to set new standards in BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations and industrial-scale automation.
Wiebke Kropp-Büttner joins the leadership team to drive strategic and commercial growth. The partnership strengthens Europe’s position in the global drone market as demand for automated solutions rises across industries.
DWT Symposium on Military Additive Manufacturing
The third European Symposium on Military Additive Manufacturing (AM) kicked off in Bonn, organized by the German Society for Defence Technology (DWT) and supported by the European Defence Agency (EDA). The two-day event brings together military, research, and industry experts to discuss the growing role of additive manufacturing in defence, focusing on military-specific applications rather than civilian 3D printing.
Key topics include reducing logistical dependencies, producing spare parts decentral, and accelerating system modernization. The symposium also addresses certification, quality assurance, and specialized uses like 3D printing of ballistic protection, drone parts, and energy materials. Panels will feature perspectives from NATO, the armed forces of Portugal, Britain, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine, with an emphasis on operational relevance and innovation.
Rather than a trade fair, the event encourages dialogue and collaboration to assess how additive manufacturing can be integrated into military operations today. The symposium highlights the strategic benefits of AM, showcasing its potential to improve defence capabilities.
AERO 2025: Industry Leaders Showcase Innovations and Record-Breaking Displays
AERO 2025, the 31st edition of the world’s leading general aviation trade show, concluded in Friedrichshafen with record numbers and industry-defining showcases. A total of 760 exhibitors from 38 countries presented 328 aircraft, setting a new event benchmark. With 32,100 visitors from over 80 nations, attendance also topped last year’s figures.
Key highlights included the largest business aviation display in Europe for 2025, featuring ultra long-range jets and a striking 2,000-square-meter Business Aviation Dome. The show also spotlighted innovation with multiple world and European premieres, including:
- The RX4E – the world’s first certified four-seater electric aircraft from China.
- The Pilatus PC-12 PRO single-engine turboprop’s global trade show debut.
- Switzerland’s Smart flyer hybrid-electric aircraft prototype, seen publicly for the first time since its rollout in November 2024.
The show emphasized sustainable aviation, with a strong presence from companies and institutions developing hydrogen fuel cell, electric, and hybrid-electric propulsion systems. These technologies were featured in the e-flight Airshow, underscoring general aviation’s role as a testbed for the future of air mobility.
The heli-sector also expanded, with 30 helicopters on display — the most in AERO history — including models from Airbus Helicopters (H160), Bell (505, 407GXi), Robinson (R44, R66), and Guimbal Cabri G2.
In workforce development, the AERO Career Days connected over 30 aviation companies with aspiring professionals, addressing the growing need for talent across piloting, engineering, and support services.
Organizers praised the event’s success. Fairnamic GmbH CEO Stefan Reisinger called it a “precision landing,” while Show Director Tobias Bretzel said AERO 2025 “exceeded expectations” and is setting the stage for an even larger 2026 edition.
The event reinforced AERO’s position not just as a showcase of aircraft, but as a hub for business deals, industry collaboration, and technological breakthroughs that shape the future of global aviation.