Helsing and OHB form KIRK joint venture for European tactical space-based reconnaissance system<br>Skip to content
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Helsing and OHB form KIRK joint venture for European tactical space-based reconnaissance system<br>By Martin Chomsky (Defence Industry Europe)
Space/C4ISR
May 19, 2026
Image: OHB Sweden.
Helsing and OHB are establishing a joint venture to develop a space-based tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting system for European defence requirements. The project, working under the title KIRK, stands for Künstliche Intelligenz und Raumfahrt-Kompetenz, or Artificial Intelligence and Space Competence.
The joint venture also gives Helsing and OHB joint leadership of a consortium that includes Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Hensoldt. OHB is joining the alliance, which was first announced in December 2025 by Helsing, Kongsberg and HENSOLDT to develop a European space-based tactical targeting system.<br>The consortium is intended to address a capability gap on the modern battlefield, where traditional reconnaissance alone is no longer considered sufficient. The planned system will combine space-based tactical surveillance and reconnaissance with AI-supported targeting to enable near-real-time targeting and support the use of modern stand-off weapons.<br>The partners aim to reduce the time between data collection and target engagement, described in the release as “time to information”. The programme will follow a software-centric approach, using artificial intelligence to manage the overall system and improve real-time performance through AI optimisation of onboard satellite functions.
The satellites are planned to be software-defined, allowing them to adapt dynamically to new and emerging threats. The companies said the architecture is intended to strengthen Europe’s sovereign capabilities in orbit.<br>Helsing will provide combat-proven artificial intelligence for space, including real-time onboard and offboard data processing, multi-sensor fusion and automated target recognition. OHB will be responsible for turnkey end-to-end space systems for Earth observation, communications, navigation and reconnaissance, as well as advanced payload development.<br>Hensoldt will contribute space-qualified sensors for all-weather, persistent surveillance and high-precision Earth observation, along with mobile ground stations and existing system capabilities. Kongsberg will provide end-to-end systems including small satellites, secure communications, C4ISR integration and access to a global ground station network through KSAT.<br>The consortium also plans to involve small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and suppliers in targeted areas of the programme. The partners said this is intended to bring innovation into the project early while supporting the German government’s goal of building a globally competitive space economy.<br>“The war in Ukraine demonstrates how important space-based targeting is,” said Gundbert Scherf, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Helsing. “It also shows that we have no time to lose and must deliver integrated defence systems in space – systems whose performance is built on software capabilities – as quickly as possible.”
“We must ensure that Europe wins the battle for sovereignty in orbit,” Scherf added. “OHB and Helsing will make sure of that together with their strong consortium partners.”<br>Marco Fuchs, chief executive officer of OHB, said space systems are becoming essential for modern armed forces. “Space systems are essential to making the Bundeswehr the strongest and most modern army in Europe,” Fuchs said.<br>“For the challenges that armed forces face today, fast, precise data is indispensable – and modern space systems, implemented with artificial intelligence, are a key component of that,” he added.
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