Germany approves j-v for Army satellites
April 20, 2026
By Chris Forrester
Germany’s Kartellamt (Cartel Office) has approved the creation of a joint venture between Rheinmetall AG and its Rheinmetall Digital subsidiary and OHB SE and created to bid for the German army’s (Bundeswehr) and its €10 billion SATCOMBw-4 satellite constellation.
Andreas Mundt, President of the Bundeskartellamt stated: “Rheinmetall Digital and OHB operate in different sectors. They aim to combine their expertise in order to jointly submit a bid as a consortium. There are no competition concerns regarding the creation of the joint venture.”
Bremen-based OHB SE will supply satellites and Teleports/gateways, while Rheinmetall will take care of satellite terminals and the network.
The planned project focuses on expanding military satellite communications. The new joint venture to be established is intended to act as a systems integrator and main contractor.
OHB SE is divided into three business segments: SPACE SYSTEMS, AEROSPACE and DIGITAL. The Group employs a workforce of more than 3,000 at 15 locations. OHB SE has more than 40 years of experience in the development of high-tech solutions for space missions and other fields of application. Its portfolio of products and services ranges from the realisation of satellite systems for Earth observation, navigation, telecommunications, science and reconnaissance to the design and implementation of missions for space exploration and the development of equipment for human space flight.
OHB built (for the European Space Agency) 34 Galileo GPS satellites as prime contractor.
Rheinmetall AG has considerable experience in supplying space-based technology including laser systems.
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