At the AUSA 2024 conference, sensor solution provider HENSOLDT and Raytheon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aimed at deepening their collaboration on Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems for NATO forces, according to a press release.
This agreement underscores the shared commitment of both companies to support and strengthen NATO operations by enhancing the sustainment and readiness of critical military technologies.
The MoU marks a new phase in the partnership between HENSOLDT and Raytheon, which has been working together for some time on global opportunities.
The agreement demonstrates a united effort to move sustainment and support closer to operational units, ensuring that NATO service members have reliable access to high-performance EO/IR systems that are mission ready.
One of the first major outcomes of this new collaboration will be the establishment of a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Oberkochen, Germany, set to be operational by the end of Q1 2025. This facility will provide crucial support to NATO partners across Europe, enhancing the readiness and operational capability of EO/IR systems in the field.
The partnership will initially focus on airborne EO/IR programs, both in Europe and the United States. However, the scope is expected to grow, eventually encompassing land-based programs as well. By leveraging the unique strengths of both companies, HENSOLDT and Raytheon will address clear customer requirements, positioning their joint capabilities to better serve NATO and other defense customers in both regions.
Tanya Altmann, Head of the Optronics & Land Solutions division at HENSOLDT: “This MoU is a testament to our shared vision of bringing ourselves and our capabilities closer to our customers and their needs. By collaborating with Raytheon, we are ensuring that our customers in Europe and the US have access to the most advanced and capable EO/IR systems available, all backed by world-class sustainment services.”
With the signing ceremony at AUSA 2024, HENSOLDT and Raytheon have laid out clear plans for their cooperation. The immediate next steps include finalizing the establishment of the MRO facility in Oberkochen and positioning resources to support NATO’s operational needs. The two companies will continue working closely to ensure the swift and efficient execution of the agreement, with plans to expand further into the US market in the near future.
