HENSOLDT is equipping air defence systems from Rheinmetall subsidiary Rheinmetall Air Defence AG with radars from its SPEXER 2000 product family. The companies have now signed a long-term framework agreement that will remain valid until the 2030s.
The agreement covers the flexible provision and delivery of large quantities of radars for ground-based air defence applications – in particular for drone defence solutions and the Skyranger 30 air defence system from Rheinmetall Air Defence. The contract thus has a potential volume in the high three-digit million euro range.
With the framework agreement now in place, both companies have laid the foundation for predictable, efficient and reliable cooperation. The agreement offers both sides a high degree of planning security and binding purchase conditions. It ensures that core components of the SPEXER 2000 product range are available as needed and through resilient supply chains. Various companies within the Rheinmetall Group can place orders under the framework agreement.
The SPEXER radar family offers high-performance surveillance radars for various ranges, enabling the automatic detection and classification of ground, sea and low-flying air targets. The SPEXER 2000 is already used by the German Armed Forces in several key applications, including field camp protection (ASUL), the high-energy laser for drone defence (HoWiSM), and the air defence system for close and next-range protection (NNbS).
Together, Rheinmetall and HENSOLDT are making an important contribution to strengthening the air defence capabilities of the German Armed Forces and allied nations. The cooperation underscores the shared goal of strengthening the European defence industry, keeping critical technologies available, and providing long-term support for the operational readiness of modern air defence systems.
The Skyranger 30, a mobile air defence system designed to counter drone threats, will directly benefit from this radar supply agreement. As unmanned aerial systems become more prevalent on the battlefield, the need for effective counter-drone solutions has grown significantly. The SPEXER 2000’s ability to detect and classify low-flying and small targets makes it particularly well-suited for this role.
This long-term framework agreement also provides both companies with planning security, allowing for efficient production scheduling and supply chain management. By securing radar supplies well into the 2030s, Rheinmetall and HENSOLDT are ensuring that European air defence capabilities remain robust and responsive to emerging threats. The partnership reflects a broader trend of deepening industrial collaboration within Europe’s defence sector, aimed at reducing dependencies and enhancing sovereign capabilities.
