Following the closing of the transaction between Airbus Group SE and KKR, a leading global investment firm, a new European defence company headquartered in Germany, Hensoldt, has been launched.

The new company, headquartered in Taufkirchen close to Munich, will be led by an Executive Committee comprising CEO Thomas Müller, head of HR Peter Fieser, head of Finance Axel Salzmann and head of Operations Peter Schlote. Further members of the Executive Committee are head of Electronic Warfare/Situational Awareness Uwe Virkus, head of Radar/IFF/Data Links Erwin Paulus, head of Optronics Andreas Hülle, head of Sales & Marketing Sabine K. Hipp, head of Strategic Business Development Celia Pelaz and General Counsel Solms U. Wittig.

The Hensoldt brand derives from Moritz Carl Hensoldt (1821-1903), a German pioneer of optics and precision mechanics who developed benchmark technology solutions and products in his field. The name Hensoldt stands for premium solutions, combining excellence, innovation and efficiency.

Hensoldt will provide leading edge technology solutions to armed forces and security agencies. Firmly grounded in its three product lines — Optronics, Radar/IFF/Data link and Electronic Warfare/Situational Awareness — the company offers sensor solutions for air, sea and land applications. This includes the protection of critical infrastructures, air defence, airborne self-protection, vehicle and convoy protection, signal intelligence and data links, as well as night vision, thermal imaging, laser rangefinding and optronic targeting. Furthermore, the portfolio comprises mission avionics equipment, such as computers, mission planning devices and situational awareness systems for helicopters.

Hensoldt is a key contributor to major European defence acquisition programmes and has demonstrated its global reach by winning a number of international contracts. Among the most prominent air and space platforms equipped by Hensoldt are the F-16, Eurofighter, Gripen and Rafale combat aircraft, the Tandem-X and EDRS-A satellites, the A400M transport aircraft, as well as helicopters of various types.