Developer docs
API playgroundTry for free, no card

Search company profiles

Airbus Defence & Space

Full company profile

uuid000376m

Namestring
Airbus Defence & Space
Legal namestring
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Websiteurl
airbus.com
Company typeenum
Public
Founded yearint
2014
Descriptiontext

Airbus Defence and Space is a wholly-owned operating division of Airbus SE (Societas Europaea, publicly listed under ticker AIR), headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands with operational leadership in Germany. Formed in its current shape in 2014 by merging the group's Military Aircraft, Space Systems and Defence units, the division traces its lineage to 1970s European aerospace collaboration and the 1999-2003 consolidation that created the modern group structure. It serves sovereign and institutional customers — primarily national governments, defence ministries, NATO, the EU, ESA and NASA — across three business lines: Air Power (military aircraft, helicopters, unmanned systems), Space Systems (telecom satellites, Earth observation, space exploration), and Connected Intelligence (cybersecurity, secure communications, intelligence and data solutions).

The division's product portfolio spans crewed platforms such as the A400M Atlas tactical/strategic transport, the C295 tactical transport (now also produced domestically in India via the Tata Advanced Systems partnership), the A330 MRTT tanker-transport with certified Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling (A3R), the Eurofighter Typhoon, and a new unmanned franchise anchored by the U760 Ravenstorm collaborative combat aircraft, the U740 Valkyrie UCCA (with Kratos), and the Bird of Prey counter-UAS interceptor. Space Systems delivers the OneSat software-defined satellite platform, Arrow telecommunications satellites for the Eutelsat OneWeb constellation, Sentinel-1 NG and Sentinel-6 Earth-observation satellites, the European Service Module powering NASA's Orion spacecraft on Artemis II, and the Starling sustainability data service. Connected Intelligence covers sovereign cyber (Airbus Protect, Airbus CyberSecurity, and pending Ultra Cyber acquisition), the Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (MDCC) digital combat platform, and C5ISR solutions. AI is embedded across the portfolio via NVIDIA-based onboard processors, computer-vision refueling, autonomous UAV coordination (Mindshare, MARS), and AI-driven space manufacturing.

Defence and Space generated €13.4B in revenue in FY2025 (up 11% YoY) with a record €17.7B in order intake and a €639M EBIT profit (vs. a €656M loss in 2024). Revenue mechanics are dominated by long-cycle, bilaterally negotiated government-to-government contracts with multi-year payment milestones (e.g., India C295 ₹21,935 crore / $3.5B, Canada Husky ~C$1.5B), complemented by commercial satellite platform sales (OneWeb Arrow), long-term service and sustainment for a fleet of 1,200+ military aircraft operated by ~110 customers, and emerging recurring data services (Starling). Distribution blends direct government sales, industrial offset/JV manufacturing (Tata Advanced Systems, Vadodara), and consortium-based development (Eurofighter, IRIS-T SLM, Team Gen 6, the planned Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV). Airbus operates from 180+ locations across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa/Middle East, supported by 18,000+ direct suppliers.

Short descriptiontext

Airbus Defence and Space is the defence, space and connected-intelligence division of Airbus SE, serving governments, NATO, the EU, ESA and NASA with military aircraft (A400M, C295, A330 MRTT, Eurofighter), satellites (OneSat, Arrow, Sentinel), space-exploration hardware (Orion ESM) and sovereign cybersecurity, generating €13.4B in FY2025 revenue.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
Headcount rangeband
5,001–10,000
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersHouston, United States
HQ citystring
Houston
HQ countrystring
United States
HQ regionstring
North America
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices15 records

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
military aircraft systems, space satellite platforms, defence cyber security, unmanned combat aircraft, earth observation satellites
Industry3 codes
1Military Aircraft Platforms (Fixed-Wing)
CodeIMABAMAAPrimaryYes
2Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms
CodeIMABAMACPrimaryNo
3Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software
CodeIMABACAIPrimaryNo
NAICS code4 codes
  • Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing336414
  • Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing336419
  • Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing334511
  • Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing336415
SIC code4 codes
  • Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts3760
  • Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys3812
  • Aircraft & Parts3720
  • Aircraft3721
Product category
Defense and Space Systems
GTM motion4 records

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model6 records
1Military aircraft and helicopter sales
TypeHardware Sales
Description

One-time major program sales and multi-year delivery contracts for defense aircraft (A400M, Eurofighter, C295, A330 MRTT, Tiger helicopters) to military customers. Drives €13.4B Defence and Space 2025 revenue. Order intake hit record €17.7B in 2025.

satellitetoday.com
2Space systems and satellite programs
TypeHardware Sales
Description

Sale of satellite platforms (OneSat, Arrow/OneWeb), Earth observation systems (Copernicus Sentinel-6/1 NG), space exploration modules (European Service Module for Orion), and ground systems. Includes €345M contract for Sentinel-1 NG radar instruments.

satellitetoday.com
3Defense and space services
TypeManaged Services
Description

Long-term service contracts including maintenance, training, technical support for military aircraft fleets. Recurring service revenue for 1,200+ aircraft fleet support to 110 operators.

en.acnnewswire.com
4Cybersecurity and connected intelligence
TypeManaged Services
Description

Revenue from cybersecurity products, sovereign cyber capabilities (Ultra Cyber Ltd), secure communications, encrypted data links, and Skynet secure communications infrastructure. Strategic pillar for European digital shield.

linkedin.com
5Earth observation data and imagery services
TypeData Monetisation
Description

Revenue from satellite imagery programs like Starling for supply chain compliance (Nestlé, coffee companies), geological surveys, maritime monitoring, and agricultural monitoring via Airbus Starling.

ritzherald.com
6Licensing and royalty income
TypeLicensing Royalties
Description

Technology transfer and licensing arrangements including offsets under military procurement (e.g., C295 manufacturing technology to Tata Advanced Systems in India), and licensing royalties on intellectual property.

expodefensa.com.co
Distribution channels6 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components5 values
Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Pricing details1 tier
1Defense procurement contracts
ModelOtherBilling cadenceMulti-year contract
Notes

Pricing negotiated bilaterally per program. Example: India C295 program valued at ₹21,935 crore (~$3.5B) for 56 aircraft; €345M for two Sentinel-1 NG radar instruments; ~C$1.5B for Canada Husky contracts. Multi-year payment tied to delivery milestones.

financialexpress.com
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeHardware or Manufacturing
Hardware or Manufacturing
Brand1 of 4 records shown
1Airbus Protect
Description

Airbus's cybersecurity services business, providing defensive cyber solutions to governments, militaries and critical infrastructure operators; cited as having ~600 employees and over 170,000 security applications deployed worldwide.

airbus.com
+3 more records
Core offering1 text field

Airbus Defence & Space designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft (Eurofighter, A400M, C295, A330 MRTT, Tiger helicopters), unmanned aerial systems (U760 Ravenstorm, Valkyrie UCCA, Bird of Prey, Flexrotor, Aliaca, SIRTAP), and space systems including software-defined satellites (OneSat, Arrow), Earth observation satellites (Sentinel-1 NG, Sentinel-6), and the European Service Module for NASA's Orion spacecraft. It also delivers cybersecurity, secure communications, and digital combat platforms (Multi-Domain Combat Cloud) through its Connected Intelligence unit.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Quantifiable outcome1 of 7 values shown
  • Defence and Space revenue grew 11% YoY to €13.4 billion in 2025
+6 more records
Product overview1 text field

Airbus Defence & Space operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture organised around three core divisions — Military Aircraft (Air Power), Space Systems, and Connected Intelligence — with a deep portfolio spanning military aircraft, unmanned systems, satellites, space exploration hardware, cyber/defence solutions, and digital combat software. The Military Aircraft (Air Power) line includes the A400M Atlas tactical/strategic transport, C295 tactical transport (now produced domestically in India via Tata partnership), A330 MRTT tanker-transport (with certified A3R automatic refuelling), the Eurofighter Typhoon, and a new family of uncrewed combat aircraft anchored by the U760 Ravenstorm and the U740 Valkyrie UCCA (developed jointly with Kratos). The unmanned systems portfolio further includes the Flexrotor, Aliaca, SIRTAP tactical UAS and the Bird of Prey autonomous counter-UAS interceptor. The Space Systems line delivers the OneSat software-defined satellite platform (now integrated with Kratos EPOCH ground control), Arrow telecommunications satellites for the OneWeb/Eutelsat LEO constellation, the Sentinel-1 NG next-generation Earth observation radar satellites, Sentinel-6 climate monitoring satellites, the European Service Module (ESM) powering NASA's Orion spacecraft for Artemis, and the Starling Earth observation sustainability service. Connected Intelligence covers cybersecurity, intelligence and data solutions, the C5ISR product range, and the Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (MDCC) digital combat platform; this division will be expanded by the March 2026 acquisition of Ultra Cyber Ltd. Cross-cutting programmes include the SAETA II / ITS-C integrated combat training system for Spain and the IRIS-T SLM air defence system developed with Diehl Defence.

Product and service23 records
1A400M Atlas Military Transport Aircraft
CategoryMilitary Aircraft
Description

Tactical and strategic military airlifter designed for combat, humanitarian, and peacekeeping missions; can be reconfigured for personnel, cargo, and air-to-air refuelling roles.

2C295 Tactical Transport Aircraft
CategoryMilitary Aircraft
Description

Tactical military transport aircraft carrying 70 troops or 49 paratroopers; assembled in Seville, Spain, and now domestically in India via Tata Advanced Systems partnership.

3A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport
CategoryMilitary Aircraft
Description

Air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport aircraft with fully certified A3R computer-vision-based automatic refuelling capability for military customers.

4Eurofighter Typhoon
CategoryMilitary Aircraft
Description

Multirole fighter jet developed jointly with BAE Systems, Leonardo, and NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency; sold to national air forces.

5U760 Ravenstorm Uncrewed Combat Aircraft
CategoryUncrewed Combat Aircraft
Description

Uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft with 10-metre wingspan, designed for air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes with precision-guided munitions, and electronic warfare missions.

6Valkyrie UCCA (U740)
CategoryUncrewed Combat Aircraft
Description

Europeanized variant of XQ-58A Valkyrie developed jointly with Kratos Defense for the German Luftwaffe; targets combat readiness by 2029.

7Bird of Prey Uncrewed Interceptor Drone
CategoryCounter-UAS Systems
Description

Autonomous interceptor drone with 2.5-metre wingspan carrying up to eight Mark I air-to-air missiles; designed for NATO integrated air defence to counter kamikaze drones.

8Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial System
CategoryUnmanned Aerial Systems
Description

VTOL tactical UAS with 12+ hours endurance and 8 kg payload, acquired through 2024 Aerovel acquisition; targeted at coastal security, border surveillance, firefighting, and search and rescue.

9Aliaca Uncrewed Aerial System
CategoryUnmanned Aerial Systems
Description

Rapid-deployment UAS featuring 15-minute deployment and 100 km hybrid propulsion range, targeted at surveillance and security applications.

10SIRTAP Uncrewed Aerial System
CategoryUnmanned Aerial Systems
Description

High-endurance UAS providing over 20 hours endurance with dual simultaneous payloads for surveillance applications.

11OneSat Software-Defined Satellite
CategoryTelecommunications Satellites
Description

Next-generation software-defined telecommunications satellite platform allowing operators to instantly reshape coverage and reconfigure missions in-orbit.

12Arrow Telecommunications Satellites
CategoryTelecommunications Satellites
Description

Airbus-built telecommunications satellites integrating MDA Space Ka-band and Ku-band antennas for the Eutelsat OneWeb LEO constellation.

13Sentinel-1 NG Earth Observation Satellite
CategoryEarth Observation Satellites
Description

Next-generation Copernicus Earth observation radar satellite with 400km swath coverage and 5m x 5m resolution for the EU Copernicus programme.

14Sentinel-6B Climate Monitoring Satellite
CategoryEarth Observation Satellites
Description

Copernicus programme ocean topography satellite with radar altimeter and microwave radiometer; performs centimetre-level sea level and ocean circulation monitoring until at least 2030.

15European Service Module (ESM) for Orion
CategorySpace Exploration Hardware
Description

Powerhouse module of NASA's Orion spacecraft for the Artemis program, providing propulsion, energy, thermal control, and life support for astronauts in deep space.

16Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (MDCC)
CategoryDigital Combat Platforms
Description

Cyber-resilient cloud-based network integrating air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains to enhance military operations through real-time information sharing.

17Connected Intelligence Cybersecurity Services
CategoryCybersecurity
Description

Business unit focused on sovereign cybersecurity capabilities, secure communications, encrypted data links, and Skynet military applications.

18Intelligence and Data Solutions
CategoryDefence Solutions
Description

C5ISR product range including intelligence capabilities, satellite-based Earth observation, and secured satellite telecommunications for military and intelligence agencies.

19SAETA II / ITS-C Integrated Combat Training System
CategoryTraining Systems
Description

Spain's new Integrated Combat Training System covering 30 HÜRJET-based aircraft to replace the Spanish Air Force's current F-5 fleet.

20A400M Mothership Variant
CategoryMilitary Aircraft
Description

Concept variant of the A400M Atlas designed to carry modular offensive ordnance and leverage the HADIS unmanned cargo glider.

21Starling Earth Observation Service
CategoryEarth Observation Services
Description

Airbus satellite monitoring service for supply chain compliance, deforestation detection, and methane emissions tracking.

22Mindshare Collaborative Combat Software
CategoryCombat Software
Description

Software platform enabling collaborative combat, synchronized surveillance missions, and multi-domain integration with minimal human intervention.

23IRIS-T SLM Ground-Based Air Defence System
CategoryAir Defence Systems
Description

Ground-based air defence system developed jointly with Diehl Defence; adopted by Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Scale indicator13 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership27 partners
Strategic tierMinorTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-16
Description

Airbus champion in HINT Phase III project (TM Forum Moonshot Catalyst) at DTW Ignite 2026; explores terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks combined with AI and intelligent edge for resilient supply chain ecosystems. Co-creators include Cerillion, CGI, Mavenir, Rakuten Symphony, SunTec, TCS.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-16
Description

Airbus awarded Thales Alenia Space a €345 million contract to develop and produce two next-generation C-band radar instruments for EU's Copernicus Sentinel-1 NG Earth observation constellation; first launch expected in 2034.

3SkyFall (Ukraine)
Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-12
Description

MoU at ILA Berlin Air Show 2026 forming strategic partnership on air defense and counter-drone technologies. SkyFall interceptors neutralized 10,000+ Russian drones in combat. Airbus's third air defense deal in three days at ILA Berlin.

aerotime.aero
Strategic tierMinorTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-11
Description

Partnership to develop advanced drone detection and security capabilities for protecting critical infrastructure. Combines Airbus global aerospace expertise with Alta Ares AI-powered drone identification systems.

5Team Gen 6 consortium (German defense companies)
Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-11
Description

After collapse of FCAS/SCAF fighter program, Airbus and seven German defense companies formed new consortium called Team Gen 6 to develop 6th-generation fighter. Positioning paper signed at ILA Berlin 2026. Spanish companies Indra, GMV, Grupo Oesia, Sener, ITP Aero forming up to join.

breakingdefense.com
Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-06-09
Description

Signed agreement at ILA Berlin 2026 to intensify cooperation in integrated air and missile defence. Building on IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defence system joint work. Plan to identify product enhancements and potentially establish 'battle lab' development environment. Adopted by Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland.

Strategic tierMinorTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-04-22
Description

AI-powered satellite system using Airbus imagery to track and monitor deforestation linked to coffee cultivation worldwide. Initially targets six East African countries before expanding to all coffee-growing regions by 2027. Responds to EU Deforestation Regulation.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-03-23
Description

Airbus entered a definitive agreement to acquire Ultra Cyber Ltd from Cobham Ultra group, a portfolio company of Advent, for an undisclosed sum. The deal brings over 200 employees from Maidenhead into Airbus Defence and Space's Connected Intelligence business unit. Closes H2 2026 pending regulatory approvals. UBS advised Airbus, Clifford Chance provided legal counsel; Barclays advised Advent.

Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnnounced on2026-03-23
Description

Barclays served as financial advisor for Advent International in the Airbus acquisition of Ultra Cyber Ltd; transaction expected to close in H2 2026.

Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnnounced on2026-03-23
Description

UBS Group AG advised Airbus in the Ultra Cyber Ltd acquisition; Clifford Chance provided legal counsel to acquirer.

Strategic tierMinorTypeImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAnnounced on2026-03-23
Description

Clifford Chance provided legal counsel to Airbus in the Ultra Cyber acquisition; Kirkland & Ellis LLP also participated.

Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-03-16
Description

Collaborating on uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (UCCA) for Germany's Luftwaffe based on Kratos Valkyrie platform. Includes development of Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) AI system. First flight scheduled for 2026.

Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-03-13
Description

Joint selection for 18-month conceptual study for Spanish Air and Space Force's future SIGINT aircraft programme. Also leads avionics and mission systems for Spain's ITS-C Integrated Combat Training System.

Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-02-09
Description

MoU signed in Singapore to develop satellite communication technology for low-orbit satellites as 'space base stations' enabling direct mobile device connectivity. Target: commercial 5G NTN technology for general public use by end of 2027.

Strategic tierCoreTypeTechnology or IntegrationAnnounced on2026-01-22
Description

Collaboration on UpNext SpaceRAN demonstrator to advance 5G non-terrestrial networks using software-defined satellite. Keysight providing PROPSIM satellite channel emulation and UeSim user segment emulation. Will conclude with advanced regenerative payload on Airbus LEO satellite with on-board signal processing.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-01-21
Description

Long-standing Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II programs managed by European defence consortia; key participants include Leonardo, BAE Systems, Airbus Defence & Space, and NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-01-20
Description

Joint development of first metal 3D printer in space which produced its first metal component on ISS. ESA applying AI techniques through three projects supported by ESA to improve manufacturing processes for rockets (shot peen forming, friction stir welding, automated fiber placement).

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2026-01-20
Description

Airbus developed the European Service Module (ESM) - the "powerhouse" of Orion - providing propulsion, energy, and thermal control. Prime contractor for ESA in the Artemis program.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2025-12-01
Description

MoU signed to merge space operations into new joint venture unifying European satellite, communications, and Earth-observation capabilities. ~25,000 employees, ~€6.5B annual revenue, backlog covering 3+ years. Expected mid-triple-digit million-Euro annual synergies within 5 years; operational in 2027 subject to regulatory approval.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2025-12-01
Description

MoU signed to develop joint European satellite constellations for intelligence and Earth observation, strengthening continental defence capabilities amid rising global tensions.

Strategic tierCoreTypeTechnology or IntegrationAnnounced on2025-11-06
Description

World's first successful trial of 5G-Advanced Non-Terrestrial Network technology using Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellites; demonstrated seamless 5G connectivity through satellite links.

22Türkiye (Eurofighter negotiations)
Strategic tierFlagshipTypeChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnnounced on2025-10-24
Description

Negotiations for 40 Eurofighter jets nearing finalization with Türkiye; supported by German and UK governments; long-term partnership for technological development and production.

leonardo.com
Strategic tierCoreTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2025-07-01
Description

Two Valkyries being prepared for first flight with European Mission System for German Air Force. Partnership also includes EPOCH Command and Control software for software-defined satellites and OmanSat-1 ground segment. Targets combat readiness by 2029.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnnounced on2024-12-01
Description

Airbus contracted to build Arrow telecommunications satellites for OneWeb low Earth orbit constellation extension. Repeat order for 880+ Ka-band and 440 Ku-band antennas via MDA Space. Eutelsat awarded Airbus extension contracts for 100 satellites in Dec 2024 and 340 additional satellites in Dec 2025.

Strategic tierCoreTypeTechnology or IntegrationAnnounced on2024-06-01
Description

Contracted by Airbus to design and build 880+ Ka-band steerable antennas and 440 Ku-band user replacement antennas for OneWeb constellation, manufactured at MDA Space's Montréal facility and integrated into Airbus Arrow satellites.

Strategic tierCoreTypeTechnology or IntegrationAnnounced on2024-06-01
Description

Supply of 3,200 AI-enabled onboard data processors for Earth-observation satellites, valued at USD 186 million with Q2 2026 delivery.

Strategic tierFlagshipTypeStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnounced on2021-01-01
Description

Joint venture to manufacture 40 of 56 C295 military transport aircraft at Vadodara facility in India under ₹21,935 crore ($3.5B) contract. The first Made-in-India C295 completed maiden test flight in 2026; over 85% structural work and final assembly done domestically with 13,000+ components from 30+ MSMEs.

Recent move8 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight7 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
TypeDirect peer
Description

Direct partner in the Eurofighter consortium and a co-participant in Team Gen 6; comparable European defense prime with overlapping military aircraft, electronics, cyber and naval offerings and similar sovereign/UK customer base.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Direct partner in the Eurofighter program and planned co-venturer in the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV; comparable portfolio across helicopters, defense electronics, and space, with overlapping European government customer base.

TypeDirect peer
Description

Planned joint venture partner in the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space merger and existing partner on Sentinel-1 NG radar; comparable European defense electronics, aerospace and digital identity/security portfolio addressing similar government customers.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Largest US defense prime with direct overlap in military aircraft (F-35 as Eurofighter competitor), space (Orion/ESM counterpart), missile defense and integrated air/missile defense; a benchmark for size and the principal competitor in sixth-gen fighter and satellite markets.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

US incumbent with directly overlapping fixed-wing military aircraft, space systems, satellite manufacturing and government services; competes head-to-head with Airbus in tanker (KC-46 vs A330 MRTT) and transport aircraft.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

US incumbent and direct competitor in space systems (Sentinel/OneWeb analogue Earth observation, classified satellite programs) and uncrewed combat aircraft (X-47B lineage vs Airbus Valkyrie/Ravenstorm); explicitly named as a target competitor by the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

US defense prime with comparable missile defense (Patriot, NASAMS — analogous to IRIS-T SLM), propulsion (Pratt & Whitney vs Safran/ArianeGroup) and integrated air defense offerings; competes on European integrated air and missile defense opportunities.

TypeBroad incumbent
Description

US defense prime with comparable land systems, combat vehicles (Abrams, Stryker) and Gulfstream-derived special mission aircraft; a broad incumbent competing for the same European and NATO government procurement budgets.

TypeDirect peer
Description

European mid-tier defense prime directly competing in fighter aircraft (Gripen vs Eurofighter), military radar, ground-based air defense and uncrewed systems; comparable sovereign European positioning with shared Scandinavian/NATO customer base.

TypeEmerging player
Description

Private launch and LEO constellation operator explicitly named as a competitive target by the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV; rising competitor in sovereign launch and direct-to-device NTN that could compress European space economics.

Market position
Strengths5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses5 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat7 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights7 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Named customers16 records

Each record includes

Name, Industry, Type, Use case, Source, UUID

Ideal customer profile3 records

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
Yes
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

Integration8 records

Each record includes

Title, Type, Description, Source

AI capability7 records

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Feature14 records

Each record includes

Title, Differentiator, Description, Source

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
Profiles13 records

Each record includes

Name, Designation, Designation category, Overview, Profile commentary, Source

Subsidiaries7 records

Each record includes

Name, Acquired on, Relationship type, Type, Business focus

Compliance3 records

Each record includes

Name, Class, Description

Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds1 record

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors1 record

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A4 records

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment4 records

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Airbus Defence & Space

Defense and Space Systemsairbus.com

Airbus Defence and Space is the defence, space and connected-intelligence division of Airbus SE, serving governments, NATO, the EU, ESA and NASA with military aircraft (A400M, C295, A330 MRTT, Eurofighter), satellites (OneSat, Arrow, Sentinel), space-exploration hardware (Orion ESM) and sovereign cybersecurity, generating €13.4B in FY2025 revenue.

What Airbus Defence & Space does

Airbus Defence and Space is a wholly-owned operating division of Airbus SE (Societas Europaea, publicly listed under ticker AIR), headquartered in Leiden, the Netherlands with operational leadership in Germany. Formed in its current shape in 2014 by merging the group's Military Aircraft, Space Systems and Defence units, the division traces its lineage to 1970s European aerospace collaboration and the 1999-2003 consolidation that created the modern group structure. It serves sovereign and institutional customers — primarily national governments, defence ministries, NATO, the EU, ESA and NASA — across three business lines: Air Power (military aircraft, helicopters, unmanned systems), Space Systems (telecom satellites, Earth observation, space exploration), and Connected Intelligence (cybersecurity, secure communications, intelligence and data solutions).

The division's product portfolio spans crewed platforms such as the A400M Atlas tactical/strategic transport, the C295 tactical transport (now also produced domestically in India via the Tata Advanced Systems partnership), the A330 MRTT tanker-transport with certified Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling (A3R), the Eurofighter Typhoon, and a new unmanned franchise anchored by the U760 Ravenstorm collaborative combat aircraft, the U740 Valkyrie UCCA (with Kratos), and the Bird of Prey counter-UAS interceptor. Space Systems delivers the OneSat software-defined satellite platform, Arrow telecommunications satellites for the Eutelsat OneWeb constellation, Sentinel-1 NG and Sentinel-6 Earth-observation satellites, the European Service Module powering NASA's Orion spacecraft on Artemis II, and the Starling sustainability data service. Connected Intelligence covers sovereign cyber (Airbus Protect, Airbus CyberSecurity, and pending Ultra Cyber acquisition), the Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (MDCC) digital combat platform, and C5ISR solutions. AI is embedded across the portfolio via NVIDIA-based onboard processors, computer-vision refueling, autonomous UAV coordination (Mindshare, MARS), and AI-driven space manufacturing.

Defence and Space generated €13.4B in revenue in FY2025 (up 11% YoY) with a record €17.7B in order intake and a €639M EBIT profit (vs. a €656M loss in 2024). Revenue mechanics are dominated by long-cycle, bilaterally negotiated government-to-government contracts with multi-year payment milestones (e.g., India C295 ₹21,935 crore / $3.5B, Canada Husky ~C$1.5B), complemented by commercial satellite platform sales (OneWeb Arrow), long-term service and sustainment for a fleet of 1,200+ military aircraft operated by ~110 customers, and emerging recurring data services (Starling). Distribution blends direct government sales, industrial offset/JV manufacturing (Tata Advanced Systems, Vadodara), and consortium-based development (Eurofighter, IRIS-T SLM, Team Gen 6, the planned Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV). Airbus operates from 180+ locations across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Africa/Middle East, supported by 18,000+ direct suppliers.

Airbus Defence & Space firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Airbus Defence & Space
Legal name
Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Website
https://airbus.com
Company type
Public
Founded year
2014
Operating status
Operating
Headcount range
5,001–10,000 employees
Short description
Airbus Defence and Space is the defence, space and connected-intelligence division of Airbus SE, serving governments, NATO, the EU, ESA and NASA with military aircraft (A400M, C295, A330 MRTT, Eurofighter), satellites (OneSat, Arrow, Sentinel), space-exploration hardware (Orion ESM) and sovereign cybersecurity, generating €13.4B in FY2025 revenue.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Airbus Defence & Space industry classification

Industry
Product category
Defense and Space Systems
NAICS
Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)
SIC
Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721)
akta.pro primary industry
Military Aircraft Platforms (Fixed-Wing) (IMABAMAA)
akta.pro secondary industries
Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC), Spacecraft Avionics, Flight Computers & Software (IMABACAI)

Keywords

  • Military aircraft systems
  • Space satellite platforms
  • Defence cyber security
  • Unmanned combat aircraft
  • Earth observation satellites

Where Airbus Defence & Space is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Houston
HQ country
United States
HQ region
North America

Offices15 records

Markets served

Airbus Defence & Space business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Hardware or Manufacturing
Cost components
Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

  1. Military aircraft and helicopter sales: One-time major program sales and multi-year delivery contracts for defense aircraft (A400M, Eurofighter, C295, A330 MRTT, Tiger helicopters) to military customers. Drives €13.4B Defence and Space 2025 revenue. Order intake hit record €17.7B in 2025.
  2. Space systems and satellite programs: Sale of satellite platforms (OneSat, Arrow/OneWeb), Earth observation systems (Copernicus Sentinel-6/1 NG), space exploration modules (European Service Module for Orion), and ground systems. Includes €345M contract for Sentinel-1 NG radar instruments.
  3. Defense and space services: Long-term service contracts including maintenance, training, technical support for military aircraft fleets. Recurring service revenue for 1,200+ aircraft fleet support to 110 operators.
  4. Cybersecurity and connected intelligence: Revenue from cybersecurity products, sovereign cyber capabilities (Ultra Cyber Ltd), secure communications, encrypted data links, and Skynet secure communications infrastructure. Strategic pillar for European digital shield.
  5. Earth observation data and imagery services: Revenue from satellite imagery programs like Starling for supply chain compliance (Nestlé, coffee companies), geological surveys, maritime monitoring, and agricultural monitoring via Airbus Starling.
  6. Licensing and royalty income: Technology transfer and licensing arrangements including offsets under military procurement (e.g., C295 manufacturing technology to Tata Advanced Systems in India), and licensing royalties on intellectual property.

Pricing tiers

ModelBillingPrice
OtherMulti-year contractDefense procurement contracts

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Airbus Defence & Space product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Airbus Defence & Space designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft (Eurofighter, A400M, C295, A330 MRTT, Tiger helicopters), unmanned aerial systems (U760 Ravenstorm, Valkyrie UCCA, Bird of Prey, Flexrotor, Aliaca, SIRTAP), and space systems including software-defined satellites (OneSat, Arrow), Earth observation satellites (Sentinel-1 NG, Sentinel-6), and the European Service Module for NASA's Orion spacecraft. It also delivers cybersecurity, secure communications, and digital combat platforms (Multi-Domain Combat Cloud) through its Connected Intelligence unit.

Product overview

Airbus Defence & Space operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture organised around three core divisions — Military Aircraft (Air Power), Space Systems, and Connected Intelligence — with a deep portfolio spanning military aircraft, unmanned systems, satellites, space exploration hardware, cyber/defence solutions, and digital combat software. The Military Aircraft (Air Power) line includes the A400M Atlas tactical/strategic transport, C295 tactical transport (now produced domestically in India via Tata partnership), A330 MRTT tanker-transport (with certified A3R automatic refuelling), the Eurofighter Typhoon, and a new family of uncrewed combat aircraft anchored by the U760 Ravenstorm and the U740 Valkyrie UCCA (developed jointly with Kratos). The unmanned systems portfolio further includes the Flexrotor, Aliaca, SIRTAP tactical UAS and the Bird of Prey autonomous counter-UAS interceptor. The Space Systems line delivers the OneSat software-defined satellite platform (now integrated with Kratos EPOCH ground control), Arrow telecommunications satellites for the OneWeb/Eutelsat LEO constellation, the Sentinel-1 NG next-generation Earth observation radar satellites, Sentinel-6 climate monitoring satellites, the European Service Module (ESM) powering NASA's Orion spacecraft for Artemis, and the Starling Earth observation sustainability service. Connected Intelligence covers cybersecurity, intelligence and data solutions, the C5ISR product range, and the Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (MDCC) digital combat platform; this division will be expanded by the March 2026 acquisition of Ultra Cyber Ltd. Cross-cutting programmes include the SAETA II / ITS-C integrated combat training system for Spain and the IRIS-T SLM air defence system developed with Diehl Defence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

  • Airbus Protect: Airbus's cybersecurity services business, providing defensive cyber solutions to governments, militaries and critical infrastructure operators; cited as having ~600 employees and over 170,000 security applications deployed worldwide.
  • Connected Intelligence
  • Airbus CyberSecurity
  • Airbus UpNext

Products and services

  • A400M Atlas Military Transport Aircraft Tactical and strategic military airlifter designed for combat, humanitarian, and peacekeeping missions; can be reconfigured for personnel, cargo, and air-to-air refuelling roles.
  • C295 Tactical Transport Aircraft Tactical military transport aircraft carrying 70 troops or 49 paratroopers; assembled in Seville, Spain, and now domestically in India via Tata Advanced Systems partnership.
  • A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Transport Air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport aircraft with fully certified A3R computer-vision-based automatic refuelling capability for military customers.
  • Eurofighter Typhoon Multirole fighter jet developed jointly with BAE Systems, Leonardo, and NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency; sold to national air forces.
  • U760 Ravenstorm Uncrewed Combat Aircraft Uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft with 10-metre wingspan, designed for air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes with precision-guided munitions, and electronic warfare missions.
  • Valkyrie UCCA (U740) Europeanized variant of XQ-58A Valkyrie developed jointly with Kratos Defense for the German Luftwaffe; targets combat readiness by 2029.
  • Bird of Prey Uncrewed Interceptor Drone Autonomous interceptor drone with 2.5-metre wingspan carrying up to eight Mark I air-to-air missiles; designed for NATO integrated air defence to counter kamikaze drones.
  • Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial System VTOL tactical UAS with 12+ hours endurance and 8 kg payload, acquired through 2024 Aerovel acquisition; targeted at coastal security, border surveillance, firefighting, and search and rescue.
  • Aliaca Uncrewed Aerial System Rapid-deployment UAS featuring 15-minute deployment and 100 km hybrid propulsion range, targeted at surveillance and security applications.
  • SIRTAP Uncrewed Aerial System High-endurance UAS providing over 20 hours endurance with dual simultaneous payloads for surveillance applications.
  • OneSat Software-Defined Satellite Next-generation software-defined telecommunications satellite platform allowing operators to instantly reshape coverage and reconfigure missions in-orbit.
  • Arrow Telecommunications Satellites Airbus-built telecommunications satellites integrating MDA Space Ka-band and Ku-band antennas for the Eutelsat OneWeb LEO constellation.
  • Sentinel-1 NG Earth Observation Satellite Next-generation Copernicus Earth observation radar satellite with 400km swath coverage and 5m x 5m resolution for the EU Copernicus programme.
  • Sentinel-6B Climate Monitoring Satellite Copernicus programme ocean topography satellite with radar altimeter and microwave radiometer; performs centimetre-level sea level and ocean circulation monitoring until at least 2030.
  • European Service Module (ESM) for Orion Powerhouse module of NASA's Orion spacecraft for the Artemis program, providing propulsion, energy, thermal control, and life support for astronauts in deep space.
  • Multi-Domain Combat Cloud (MDCC) Cyber-resilient cloud-based network integrating air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains to enhance military operations through real-time information sharing.
  • Connected Intelligence Cybersecurity Services Business unit focused on sovereign cybersecurity capabilities, secure communications, encrypted data links, and Skynet military applications.
  • Intelligence and Data Solutions C5ISR product range including intelligence capabilities, satellite-based Earth observation, and secured satellite telecommunications for military and intelligence agencies.
  • SAETA II / ITS-C Integrated Combat Training System Spain's new Integrated Combat Training System covering 30 HÜRJET-based aircraft to replace the Spanish Air Force's current F-5 fleet.
  • A400M Mothership Variant Concept variant of the A400M Atlas designed to carry modular offensive ordnance and leverage the HADIS unmanned cargo glider.
  • Starling Earth Observation Service Airbus satellite monitoring service for supply chain compliance, deforestation detection, and methane emissions tracking.
  • Mindshare Collaborative Combat Software Software platform enabling collaborative combat, synchronized surveillance missions, and multi-domain integration with minimal human intervention.
  • IRIS-T SLM Ground-Based Air Defence System Ground-based air defence system developed jointly with Diehl Defence; adopted by Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Quantifiable outcome

  • Defence and Space revenue grew 11% YoY to €13.4 billion in 2025
  • +6 more outcomes

Companies that use Airbus Defence & Space

Customer profile

Named customers16 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Airbus Defence & Space technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability7 records

Feature14 records

Airbus Defence & Space partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

  • Cerillion (with Colt, Omantel, stc, TELUS, EY, Wavelo)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Airbus champion in HINT Phase III project (TM Forum Moonshot Catalyst) at DTW Ignite 2026; explores terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks combined with AI and intelligent edge for resilient supply chain ecosystems. Co-creators include Cerillion, CGI, Mavenir, Rakuten Symphony, SunTec, TCS.
  • Thales Alenia SpaceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Airbus awarded Thales Alenia Space a €345 million contract to develop and produce two next-generation C-band radar instruments for EU's Copernicus Sentinel-1 NG Earth observation constellation; first launch expected in 2034.
  • SkyFall (Ukraine)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026MoU at ILA Berlin Air Show 2026 forming strategic partnership on air defense and counter-drone technologies. SkyFall interceptors neutralized 10,000+ Russian drones in combat. Airbus's third air defense deal in three days at ILA Berlin.
  • Alta Ares (French counter-drone startup)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partnership to develop advanced drone detection and security capabilities for protecting critical infrastructure. Combines Airbus global aerospace expertise with Alta Ares AI-powered drone identification systems.
  • Team Gen 6 consortium (German defense companies)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026After collapse of FCAS/SCAF fighter program, Airbus and seven German defense companies formed new consortium called Team Gen 6 to develop 6th-generation fighter. Positioning paper signed at ILA Berlin 2026. Spanish companies Indra, GMV, Grupo Oesia, Sener, ITP Aero forming up to join.
  • Diehl DefencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Signed agreement at ILA Berlin 2026 to intensify cooperation in integrated air and missile defence. Building on IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defence system joint work. Plan to identify product enhancements and potentially establish 'battle lab' development environment. Adopted by Germany, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland.
  • Coffee Canopy Partnership (JDE Peet's, Tchibo, Louis Dreyfus Company, Sucden, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Touton, Sucafina)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 April 2026AI-powered satellite system using Airbus imagery to track and monitor deforestation linked to coffee cultivation worldwide. Initially targets six East African countries before expanding to all coffee-growing regions by 2027. Responds to EU Deforestation Regulation.
  • Advent International (Cobham Ultra group - Ultra Cyber Ltd)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 March 2026Airbus entered a definitive agreement to acquire Ultra Cyber Ltd from Cobham Ultra group, a portfolio company of Advent, for an undisclosed sum. The deal brings over 200 employees from Maidenhead into Airbus Defence and Space's Connected Intelligence business unit. Closes H2 2026 pending regulatory approvals. UBS advised Airbus, Clifford Chance provided legal counsel; Barclays advised Advent.
  • Barclays (financial advisor for Advent)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 March 2026Barclays served as financial advisor for Advent International in the Airbus acquisition of Ultra Cyber Ltd; transaction expected to close in H2 2026.
  • UBS Group AG (Airbus financial advisor)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 March 2026UBS Group AG advised Airbus in the Ultra Cyber Ltd acquisition; Clifford Chance provided legal counsel to acquirer.
  • Clifford Chance LLP (Airbus legal counsel)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 March 2026Clifford Chance provided legal counsel to Airbus in the Ultra Cyber acquisition; Kirkland & Ellis LLP also participated.
  • Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (Valkyrie collaboration)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 March 2026Collaborating on uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (UCCA) for Germany's Luftwaffe based on Kratos Valkyrie platform. Includes development of Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) AI system. First flight scheduled for 2026.
  • Indra (Spanish IT/digital)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2026Joint selection for 18-month conceptual study for Spanish Air and Space Force's future SIGINT aircraft programme. Also leads avionics and mission systems for Spain's ITS-C Integrated Combat Training System.
  • MediaTek (with ST Engineering iDirect, Keysight Technologies)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026MoU signed in Singapore to develop satellite communication technology for low-orbit satellites as 'space base stations' enabling direct mobile device connectivity. Target: commercial 5G NTN technology for general public use by end of 2027.
  • Keysight TechnologiescoreTechnology or Integration · 22 January 2026Collaboration on UpNext SpaceRAN demonstrator to advance 5G non-terrestrial networks using software-defined satellite. Keysight providing PROPSIM satellite channel emulation and UeSim user segment emulation. Will conclude with advanced regenerative payload on Airbus LEO satellite with on-board signal processing.
  • Leonardo, BAE Systems (Eurofighter consortium)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Long-standing Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 Lightning II programs managed by European defence consortia; key participants include Leonardo, BAE Systems, Airbus Defence & Space, and NATO Eurofighter & Tornado Management Agency.
  • European Space Agency (ESA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026Joint development of first metal 3D printer in space which produced its first metal component on ISS. ESA applying AI techniques through three projects supported by ESA to improve manufacturing processes for rockets (shot peen forming, friction stir welding, automated fiber placement).
  • NASA (Artemis Orion ESM)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 January 2026Airbus developed the European Service Module (ESM) - the "powerhouse" of Orion - providing propulsion, energy, and thermal control. Prime contractor for ESA in the Artemis program.
  • Leonardo and ThalesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025MoU signed to merge space operations into new joint venture unifying European satellite, communications, and Earth-observation capabilities. ~25,000 employees, ~€6.5B annual revenue, backlog covering 3+ years. Expected mid-triple-digit million-Euro annual synergies within 5 years; operational in 2027 subject to regulatory approval.
  • Leonardo and Thales (joint European satellite constellations)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025MoU signed to develop joint European satellite constellations for intelligence and Earth observation, strengthening continental defence capabilities amid rising global tensions.
  • ESA, MediaTek, Eutelsat, Sharp, ITRI, Rohde & SchwarzcoreTechnology or Integration · 6 November 2025World's first successful trial of 5G-Advanced Non-Terrestrial Network technology using Eutelsat OneWeb LEO satellites; demonstrated seamless 5G connectivity through satellite links.
  • Türkiye (Eurofighter negotiations)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 October 2025Negotiations for 40 Eurofighter jets nearing finalization with Türkiye; supported by German and UK governments; long-term partnership for technological development and production.
  • Kratos Defense & Security SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Two Valkyries being prepared for first flight with European Mission System for German Air Force. Partnership also includes EPOCH Command and Control software for software-defined satellites and OmanSat-1 ground segment. Targets combat readiness by 2029.
  • Eutelsat (OneWeb)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 December 2024Airbus contracted to build Arrow telecommunications satellites for OneWeb low Earth orbit constellation extension. Repeat order for 880+ Ka-band and 440 Ku-band antennas via MDA Space. Eutelsat awarded Airbus extension contracts for 100 satellites in Dec 2024 and 340 additional satellites in Dec 2025.
  • MDA Space LtdcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2024Contracted by Airbus to design and build 880+ Ka-band steerable antennas and 440 Ku-band user replacement antennas for OneWeb constellation, manufactured at MDA Space's Montréal facility and integrated into Airbus Arrow satellites.
  • NVIDIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2024Supply of 3,200 AI-enabled onboard data processors for Earth-observation satellites, valued at USD 186 million with Q2 2026 delivery.
  • Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint venture to manufacture 40 of 56 C295 military transport aircraft at Vadodara facility in India under ₹21,935 crore ($3.5B) contract. The first Made-in-India C295 completed maiden test flight in 2026; over 85% structural work and final assembly done domestically with 13,000+ components from 30+ MSMEs.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Airbus Defence & Space competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

  • BAE Systems: Direct partner in the Eurofighter consortium and a co-participant in Team Gen 6; comparable European defense prime with overlapping military aircraft, electronics, cyber and naval offerings and similar sovereign/UK customer base.
  • Leonardo: Direct partner in the Eurofighter program and planned co-venturer in the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV; comparable portfolio across helicopters, defense electronics, and space, with overlapping European government customer base.
  • Thales: Planned joint venture partner in the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space merger and existing partner on Sentinel-1 NG radar; comparable European defense electronics, aerospace and digital identity/security portfolio addressing similar government customers.
  • Saab: European mid-tier defense prime directly competing in fighter aircraft (Gripen vs Eurofighter), military radar, ground-based air defense and uncrewed systems; comparable sovereign European positioning with shared Scandinavian/NATO customer base.

Broad incumbents

  • Lockheed Martin: Largest US defense prime with direct overlap in military aircraft (F-35 as Eurofighter competitor), space (Orion/ESM counterpart), missile defense and integrated air/missile defense; a benchmark for size and the principal competitor in sixth-gen fighter and satellite markets.
  • Boeing Defense, Space & Security: US incumbent with directly overlapping fixed-wing military aircraft, space systems, satellite manufacturing and government services; competes head-to-head with Airbus in tanker (KC-46 vs A330 MRTT) and transport aircraft.
  • Northrop Grumman: US incumbent and direct competitor in space systems (Sentinel/OneWeb analogue Earth observation, classified satellite programs) and uncrewed combat aircraft (X-47B lineage vs Airbus Valkyrie/Ravenstorm); explicitly named as a target competitor by the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV.
  • RTX (Raytheon Technologies): US defense prime with comparable missile defense (Patriot, NASAMS — analogous to IRIS-T SLM), propulsion (Pratt & Whitney vs Safran/ArianeGroup) and integrated air defense offerings; competes on European integrated air and missile defense opportunities.
  • General Dynamics: US defense prime with comparable land systems, combat vehicles (Abrams, Stryker) and Gulfstream-derived special mission aircraft; a broad incumbent competing for the same European and NATO government procurement budgets.

Emerging players

  • SpaceX: Private launch and LEO constellation operator explicitly named as a competitive target by the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space JV; rising competitor in sovereign launch and direct-to-device NTN that could compress European space economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Airbus Defence & Space social profiles

Digital presence

Airbus Defence & Space compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance3 records

Airbus Defence & Space financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Airbus Defence & Space leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Airbus Defence & Space subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries7 records

Airbus Defence & Space funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Airbus Defence & Space M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A4 records

Investments4 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Airbus Defence & Space

What does Airbus Defence & Space do?

Airbus Defence & Space designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft (Eurofighter, A400M, C295, A330 MRTT, Tiger helicopters), unmanned aerial systems (U760 Ravenstorm, Valkyrie UCCA, Bird of Prey, Flexrotor, Aliaca, SIRTAP), and space systems including software-defined satellites (OneSat, Arrow), Earth observation satellites (Sentinel-1 NG, Sentinel-6), and the European Service Module for NASA's Orion spacecraft. It also delivers cybersecurity, secure communications, and digital combat platforms (Multi-Domain Combat Cloud) through its Connected Intelligence unit.

Is Airbus Defence & Space a public or private company?

Airbus Defence & Space is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.

When was Airbus Defence & Space founded?

Airbus Defence & Space was founded in 2014. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.

Where is Airbus Defence & Space based?

Airbus Defence & Space is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.

How does Airbus Defence & Space make money?

Six revenue lines are on record. Military aircraft and helicopter sales are the primary driver. The others are space systems and satellite programs, defense and space services, cybersecurity and connected intelligence, earth observation data and imagery services and licensing and royalty income.

Who are Airbus Defence & Space's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are BAE Systems, Leonardo, Thales and Saab. Broad incumbents are Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defense, Space & Security, Northrop Grumman, RTX (Raytheon Technologies) and General Dynamics. SpaceX is listed as an emerging player.

Does Airbus Defence & Space have an API?

No public API is recorded for Airbus Defence & Space.

What industry is Airbus Defence & Space in?

Airbus Defence & Space's product category is Defense and Space Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAA, Military Aircraft Platforms (Fixed-Wing), with a secondary code of IMABAMAC, Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.

Unlock the full company data

50 free credits on sign-up, no credit card required.

Contact sales
Live signals
The Defense PostUK to Boost Daily A400M Fleet Readiness by 30%The UK will increase daily A400M mission-ready aircraft by 30% under a 190-million-pound contract with Airbus, extending support until April 2029. The deal raises daily availability from 10 to 13 aircraft by 2027 and sustains over 350 UK jobs.Eng.lsm.lvTuksnesī Spānijā izmēģina Marsa visurgājējuThe European Space Agency is testing a Mars rover prototype in Spain's desert, planning to launch it in 2030. The rover, named Charlie, is being tested with Airbus and partners, and has moved only a few centimeters so far. Scientists hope its instruments will detect signs of life underground.MarketScreenerAirbus Defence And Space Completes First 32 New OneWeb LEO Satellites For EutelsatAirbus Defence and Space completed the first 32 new OneWeb LEO satellites for Eutelsat at its Toulouse facility. The satellites are preparing for an upcoming SpaceX launch, marking the first in Eutelsat's planned programme of 669 new satellites. They will replace aging satellites to ensure service continuity and enhance network capabilities.EgirisimAirbus, Fransız siber güvenlik şirketi Quarkslab’ı satın aldıAirbus completed its acquisition of French cybersecurity firm Quarkslab after regulatory approvals. The deal strengthens Airbus's cybersecurity operations in France and Europe, with Quarkslab's QShield platform protecting software against AI-driven threats. Airbus has previously acquired Infodas and Ultra Cyber.Machine MakerAirbus Wins 25-Year Cybersecurity Contract from French Armed ForcesThe French General Directorate for Armament awarded Airbus a 25-year PARACOM contract to provide cybersecurity gateways for its armed forces and veterans' affairs networks. The gateways will enable secure data exchanges between classified and unclassified systems, with deployment across military sites and tactical environments.InfoMoneyAirbus antecipa licitação e oferece Eurofighter a Portugal com financiamentoAirbus plans to present an unsolicited proposal to Portugal for Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, aiming to replace its 28 F-16Ms, with financing and industrial cooperation. The offer targets Portugal's defense ties with European partners, competing against the F-35 and Rafale.pcgamerOh, the places you'll game: Aerospace engineers use Steam Deck to steer Mars rover prototypeAirbus demonstrated its ExoMars rover prototype to Tom Scott, using a modified Steam Deck to steer it. The rover's autonomous navigation is being developed at Airbus Defence and Space UK's Stevenage campus. Airbus aims to send the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars in 2030.MarketScreenerAirbus pitches Eurofighter to Portugal as best replacement for F-16 jetsAirbus plans to submit an unsolicited proposal to Portugal in late October or early November to supply Eurofighter Typhoon jets as a replacement for its ageing F-16 fleet. The proposal includes financing solutions and industrial participation, competing with Lockheed Martin's F-35 and other European fighters.Oman ObserverDefence giants spend record £3 bn on start-upsDefence contractors including BAE, Lockheed Martin, and Airbus invested $4.1bn (£3bn) in start-ups this year, a record. 42 defence M&A deals were completed in H1 2026, up 56% from last year. Investment and dealmaking are expected to remain strong beyond 2026.Tom's HardwareAirbus turned the Steam Deck into a controller for a prototype Mars rover — Valve handheld PC gives engineers command of the ExoMars platform during testingAirbus is using Valve's Steam Deck to control a prototype Mars rover during development and testing. The rover, developed in the UK, will be autonomous on Mars, and the Steam Deck provides Linux-based controls. Airbus is also designing the landing platform for the Rosalind Franklin rover, scheduled for 2030.