Portugal is set to host the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) flagship operational experimentation campaign, OPEX, in 2026. The campaign will concentrate on a range of technological domains, including autonomous systems, logistics support and loitering munitions. 

After unprecedented budget commitments across Europe, the defence sector is entering a decisive phase in 2026: execution under real operational pressure. Major multinational programmes such as FCAS, MGCS and NATO air defence initiatives are transitioning from planning to delivery. At the same time, structural and technological bottlenecks remain unresolved. Against this backdrop, five key trends are emerging that will shape how effectively Europe translates political ambition into operational capability.

In 2025, the aerospace industry was under massive transformational pressure. This is because air travel remains attractive, geopolitical tensions push for prioritized defense programs, and a new space race is beginning. This increases the pressure on manufacturers, airlines, airports, and space companies to develop faster, plan more efficiently, and utilize resources better.

Whether at EASA or in international programs: certification authorities today demand seamless documentation of every design change and every production step. Any company unable to map this traceability digitally risks delays or even exclusion.

AT&S is accelerating its expansion in Leoben with substantial investments that strengthen capacity, technology, and long-term supply capability amid strong demand.

The networking through satellite systems is essential – also for the Deutsche Bundeswehr. To create an in-house alternative to Starlink, Rheinmetall and OHB are reportedly considering a collaboration and applying for the contract.

The armaments group Rheinmetall also wants to grow at its Silberhütte site in Saxony-Anhalt.

KNDS Deutschland (KNDS) and the Belgian Ministry of Defence have signed a contract for the delivery of eight LEGUAN bridge layers mounted on a 10x10 wheeled chassis. The contract, which KNDS won against several competitors, also includes 17 LEGUAN 26-meter bridges, a logistics package, and special tools.

By early 2026, the semiconductor industry had broken through an invisible barrier: the space technology gap had finally collapsed. Radiation-hardened semiconductors suddenly caught up to—and in some domains even surpassed—the commercial mainstream.

In recent years, FPGAs have established themselves as a key technology in safety-critical applications. Especially in defence projects, they enable the realisation of demanding systems for fast data processing, communication, and signal processing due to their high computing performance, flexibility, and reusability. This article describes the specific requirements, process models, and challenges associated with the development of FPGAs in the defence environment.

Repurposed composites take gold—and show why collaboration is the key to aerospace circularity

Turbomolecular vacuum pumps, also known as turbopumps, are at the heart of many high-tech processes – from semiconductor production to research laboratories. However, even small errors in setup or operation can lead to costly downtime, damage to equipment or complete failure of the vacuum pump.

Astroscale Limited, the global leader in in-orbit servicing, has been awarded a EUR 399.000 Phase A contract by the European Space Agency to lead the design of the In-Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a pioneering mission concept that will enable satellites to be upgraded, repaired, and extended while in orbit

L3Harris Technologies has delivered the first MC-55A aircraft to the U.S. Air Force, following integration and mission system testing as part of Australia’s new Peregrine fleet.

New connector technologies overcome the previous limitations of fibre optics and enable high-speed data transmission everywhere.

Because connectivity is continuously advancing even in aircraft, security and knowledge about potential risks and challenges in aviation play an important role. This is where Axiom Aviation comes into play as a partner.

Joint offering with 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor simplifies certification and accelerates deployment of advanced computing for safety-critical applications

In 2025, the aerospace industry was under massive transformational pressure. This is because air travel remains attractive, geopolitical tensions push for prioritized defense programs, and a new space race is beginning. This increases the pressure on manufacturers, airlines, airports, and space companies to develop faster, plan more efficiently, and utilize resources better.

While 90 percent of the world's population now has mobile network coverage, this only covers about 15 percent of the Earth's surface. Taking into account the oceans and vast undeveloped and rural areas, the idea of global connectivity quickly falters. At the same time, the demand for data connectivity in these remote areas is growing.

Researchers demonstrate for the first time that entangled quantum states can also be realized via the uplink—from Earth to satellite. Despite atmospheric disturbances and extremely low success rates, this method opens up new pathways for global quantum communication and thus for the quantum internet.

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned Hensoldt to integrate kinetic countermeasures into the ASUL drone defence system, which has been proven in service for many years. This is another pioneering step towards the sustainable combat enhancement of ASUL, following the update of the sensor technology at the beginning of 2025, which included the latest generation of the Hensoldt SPEXER radar.

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the production of six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems. The VSR700s will be operated from 2028 by the French Navy.

Portugal is set to host the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) flagship operational experimentation campaign, OPEX, in 2026. The campaign will concentrate on a range of technological domains, including autonomous systems, logistics support and loitering munitions. 

The Federal Cartel Office has permitted the two defense companies KNDS Germany and Rheinmetall to jointly develop the new battle tank, sometimes referred to as Leopard 3.

Tool safety requirements in aviation continue to rise, with operators demanding not only mechanical precision but also enhanced measures for FOD prevention, documentation security, and mobility. Responding to these needs, STAHLWILLE has introduced the 13243a WT/TS Avionik, a comprehensive avionics tool set housed in a rugged tool trolley—purpose-built for MRO providers, airlines, and training facilities.

HYTORC has introduced its Defence Solutions portfolio, offering specialised hydraulic torque tools designed for the maintenance of military vehicles and equipment. With applications ranging from the GTK Boxer to Leopard tanks and naval platforms, the company’s systems aim to enhance operational safety, reliability, and sustainability across the Bundeswehr’s fleet.

With the growing demand for digitalised and flexible support capabilities in expeditionary air operations, the German Air Force is strengthening its operational infrastructure with the Ground Support Container System (GSCS) for the Eurofighter. Developed by the GSS+ consortium, comprising HENSOLDT and steep GmbH, the system marks a milestone in providing mission-critical data handling in-theatre.

In safety-critical sectors such as the commercial vehicle industry and the defence and armaments sector, the highest demands on the technical cleanliness of components are essential. Even microscopically small particles or film-like contamination can impair the function of critical components and lead to system failures. This is where robust, high-performance industrial cleaning systems become indispensable.