Software-defined defence: HENSOLDT showcases capabilities at Paris Air Show 2025
Digital superiority for tomorrow's armed forces
At Paris Air Show 2025 in Le Bourget from 16 to 22 June 2025, sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT will be demonstrating how the concept of software-defined defence can significantly increase the performance of defence systems. This is based partly on sensor data fusion, one of HENSOLDT's core competences.
Modern warfare is increasingly characterised by software. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine clearly shows that it is increasingly software-defined solutions rather than hardware and ammunition alone that determine the outcome of battles. Software is a crucial component of military capabilities to ensure rapid adaptability to constantly changing requirements and networked threats on the battlefield. That is why HENSOLDT is pursuing a paradigm shift from hardware-based to software-defined complete systems. Software-defined defence (SDD) is the central principle for managing this change, both technologically and operationally. This digital transformation requires HENSOLDT to move increasingly from a product-oriented portfolio to a solution-oriented approach.
HENSOLDT stands out thanks to its ability to think holistically about hardware, software and system architectures and implement them as a complete solution. As a leading provider of sensor solutions, HENSOLDT has developed an innovative solution for sensor data fusion that makes it possible to separate hardware and software and integrate functional modules via standardised interfaces. This approach is based on the ability to intelligently network sensors and effectors. The combination of multiple sources such as radar, optronics and electromagnetic reconnaissance creates a higher-level situational picture.
The radar systems developed by HENSOLDT for the IRIS-T SLM air defence system detect and track air targets at long ranges with high precision. Within SDD, these radars act as integral data sources that feed target information into a comprehensive, cloud-based situational picture – networkable with sensors from other weapon types and thus interoperable in multinational missions. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) enables patterns to be recognised, targets to be prioritised and options for action to be proposed. Converting raw data into usable information is crucial to the success of information, command and control superiority for the soldiers deployed.
HENSOLDT relies on containerised software modules based on open standards. Both HENSOLDT's own and third-party functionalities can be flexibly integrated, updated or exchanged. This containerisation allows independent services to be provided, dynamically scaled and run on different platforms. Thanks to the open architecture standards, heterogeneous systems can communicate with each other regardless of manufacturer or operating system. Existing and new components can be linked interoperable without requiring extensive changes to the respective systems.
Visit HENSOLDT at Paris Air Show 2025 in Hall 2B, Stand G121.
Press contact
Joachim Schranzhofer
Our company
HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defence industry with a global reach. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, the company develops sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a system integrator, HENSOLDT offers platform-independent, networked sensors. At the same time, the company is driving forward the development of defence electronics and optronics as a technology leader and investing in new solutions based on software-defined defence.
In addition, the company is expanding its range of offers to include new service models and is extending its portfolio of system solutions. In 2024, HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 2.24 billion euros. Following the acquisition of ESG GmbH, the company employs around 9,000 people. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the MDAX.