OHB and Rheinmetall form space networks joint venture

German technology companies OHB and Rheinmetall have officially established their joint venture, OHB Rheinmetall Space Networks GmbH, headquartered in Bremen. The company was registered in the Bremen Commercial Register in June 2026. Its primary objective is to supply the German armed forces with a robust, protected, and continuously available communication architecture as part of the SATCOMBw Level 4 project.

The joint venture will assume full responsibility for the entire lifecycle of the system, encompassing development, integration, delivery, and operation, including IT security and cyber operations. The envisioned system aims to network soldiers, vehicles, platforms, and drones, facilitating secure voice, data, and real-time information transfer across all command levels. The management team includes Dennis Winkelmann and Alexander Beyer, bringing extensive experience from the space and defense sectors.

Bremen's mayor, Andreas Bovenschulte, highlighted the city's increasing significance as a hub for space and maritime defense. He stated that the new collaboration strengthens Bremen's role as Germany's 'Space City' and a key technology location, while also creating and securing hundreds of jobs.

Executives from both Rheinmetall and OHB emphasized the joint venture's contribution to Europe's technological sovereignty and Germany's security capabilities. The venture aims to position itself as a capable network operator within NATO partnerships and the Framework Nations Concept, thereby bolstering the defense and security architecture for Germany and Europe. This initiative is expected to support Germany's broader goals in developing secure and resilient defense technologies.