German arms giant Rheinmetall and satellite manufacturer OHB are set to collaborate on a joint venture.
The two companies said on Thursday that the new business - dubbed OHB Rheinmetall Space Networks - aims to deliver the German military, the Bundeswehr, a capable, protected and lasting communications architecture.
The company intends to take on overall responsibility for a Bundeswehr satellite project, covering everything from development and integration through to delivery and operation, including IT security and a cyber operations centre.
The system is designed to connect soldiers, vehicles, platforms and drones, and to securely transmit voice, data and real-time information across all levels of command.
The joint venture is due to be headquartered in the northern port of Bremen and could create hundreds of new jobs.
The new partnership demonstrates that Bremen is increasingly developing into a hub for maritime and space defence, said Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte.
Earlier this year, the Handelsblatt and the Financial Times reported that OHB intended to bid, in partnership with Rheinmetall, for the Bundeswehr’s largest satellite project to date. The contract is reportedly worth up to €10 billion ($11.5 billion).
In November, the German government presented its first space security strategy – with the aim of “positioning Germany as a credible deterrent and defence capability.” The focus is on the protection of satellites and communications technology. By 2030, the Federal Ministry of Defence alone intends to allocate €5 billion from its budget to space travel and space security.