What HENSOLDT UK does

HENSOLDT UK is the UK operating subsidiary of HENSOLDT AG, a publicly listed German defence electronics group (Frankfurt Stock Exchange, MDAX). Headquartered in Enfield, North London with a secondary site in Slinfold, the UK entity employs 180 staff in a 5,000 m² manufacturing facility and traces its radar heritage to Kelvin Hughes, with 250 years of group lineage and 70+ years of UK radar history. The UK operation manufactures and supplies maritime navigation and surveillance radar systems — anchored by the SharpEye radar family launched in 2006 — alongside integrated bridge systems, ECDIS, voyage data recorders, ground-based radars, and the PrecISR 1000 airborne ISR sensor.

The company sells to military and government customers through direct enterprise field sales and through OEM integration into platforms built by larger defence primes. Core technology spans solid-state radar transceivers with Doppler processing, multi-domain sensor fusion software (MDOcore) with LLM-driven natural-language querying, dual-colour passive infrared missile warning (CAIRAS), thermal imaging optronics (ATTICA across SWIR/MWIR/LWIR bands), and active/passive self-protection suites (AMPS, MUSS 2.0). Notable technical differentiators include combat-proven deployment on ~2,000 platforms globally, 4D air surveillance radar (TRML-4D), and software-defined defence architecture that connects sensors across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains.

The business model is anchored on long-cycle government procurement contracts (UK MoD, German Bundeswehr via BAAINBw, other European ministries), OEM subsystems supply to platform primes (Eurofighter, Leopard 2A8, PUMA, Boxer RCT30, Helsing CA-1 Europa), and recurring aftermarket services through the HENSOLDT Academy and support programmes. Revenue streams include hardware sales of radar and sensor systems, software and integration services with a subscription/recurring element for MDOcore, maritime navigation system sales, and training/maintenance services. Customer segments span military aviation, naval/maritime defence, land forces, cyber/intelligence/multi-domain operations, and commercial maritime, with a horizontal segmentation approach across these domains.

Name

HENSOLDT UK

Legal name

HENSOLDT UK Ltd.

Website

https://uk.hensoldt.net

Company type

Public

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HENSOLDT UK is a wholly-owned UK subsidiary of HENSOLDT AG that manufactures maritime navigation and surveillance radar systems (SharpEye) and integrated bridge systems, serving naval forces, coast guards, commercial shipping, and ground-based defence applications from its Enfield facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defence Electronics and Sensor Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Radar Systems & Subsystems (Airborne, Ground, Naval) (IMABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Navigation Systems (ECDIS, Radar, GNSS, AIS) (IMAJAJAE), Maritime Security Technology & Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Sensors) (BPAKALAI), IFF/Identification, Beaconing & Cooperative Surveillance Systems (IMABAGAF), Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH)

Keywords

• Defence sensor systems
• Maritime navigation radar
• Surveillance radar systems
• Integrated bridge systems
• Coastal surveillance systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Enfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defence electronics and sensor systems: Primary revenue from design, development and supply of radar systems, optronics, electronic warfare systems, and self-protection solutions to military and government customers. Includes both hardware (sensors, radars, processors) and associated software.
2. Software and integration services: Revenue from software-defined defence solutions including MDOcore software suite, data fusion services, and system integration for multi-domain operations. Includes ongoing software updates and maintenance.
3. Naval navigation and bridge systems: Maritime navigation systems including radar, ECDIS, voyage data recorders, and integrated bridge systems for naval and commercial vessels.
4. Aftermarket and support services: Training (HENSOLDT Academy), maintenance, and support services for installed base of radar and sensor systems.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HENSOLDT UK manufactures and supplies maritime navigation and surveillance radar systems, integrated bridge systems, electronic chart displays, and voyage data recorders from its Enfield headquarters. The portfolio is anchored by the Kelvin Hughes SharpEye radar family (Mk5, Mk11, S-Band variants) used across naval, commercial, coastal, and ground-based applications. As the UK arm of HENSOLDT AG, it also delivers broader group sensor solutions including airborne ISR sensors, ground-based radars, and integrated maritime sensor and mission systems for defence and security customers.

Product overview

HENSOLDT UK is a defence technology company that evolved from Kelvin Hughes, a trusted name in radar for over 70 years. The company operates as part of the HENSOLDT Group and offers an integrated portfolio of sensor solutions spanning multiple domains. The core product technology is the Kelvin Hughes SharpEye radar family, including Mk5, Mk11, S-Band variants for naval navigation and surveillance applications. Beyond maritime radar, HENSOLDT provides integrated bridge systems, voyage data recorders, and ECDIS navigation systems for the maritime domain. For land and air applications, the company offers optronic systems including ATTICA thermal imaging, PERI RTWL Digital, and WAO Digital targeting systems, alongside self-protection solutions like MUSS 2.0 active protection system, SETAS vision systems, and ODAEON optical threat detection. The company's software portfolio centers on MDOcore, a Multi-Domain Operations software suite that fuses data from radar, electro-optical/infrared, and signals intelligence across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains. Related software products include Ceretron for land vehicle sensor management, Elysion C-UAS for counter-drone operations, and CAIRAS missile warning system integrated within the AMPS self-protection suite. HENSOLDT UK serves naval, commercial, coastal, and ground-based applications from its facilities in Enfield (headquarters with 180 employees) and Slinfold.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SharpEye: Kelvin Hughes SharpEye radar transceiver technology launched in 2006, providing military-grade target detection for maritime applications.

Products and services

• Kelvin Hughes Mk5 SharpEye Radar Solid-state marine radar transceiver delivering military-grade target detection with Doppler processing for smaller commercial and naval vessels.
• Kelvin Hughes Mk11 SharpEye Combined Navigation and Naval Surveillance Radar X-band SharpEye radar combining navigation and naval surveillance functions for combat and patrol vessels.
• MK11 X-Band Radar with IFF Antenna Combined X-band radar and IFF antenna turning unit for navigation and surveillance capabilities on maritime vessels.
• SharpEye SBS-900 Coherent Shore-based Sensor System Coherent shore-based radar sensor system for coastal and maritime surveillance, enabling detection and monitoring of maritime activity along coastlines.
• SharpEye SBS-800 Coherent Shore-Based Sensor System Coherent shore-based sensor system for maritime surveillance and border security applications.
• Manta NEO X-Band Radar X-band radar system providing safe navigation in all weather conditions for maritime vessels, part of the Manta NEO navigation radar family.
• ECDIS Electronic Chart Display and Information System Electronic Chart Display and Information System for maritime navigation providing integrated charting and navigation information to commercial vessels.
• Manta NEO VDR Voyage Data Recorder Voyage data recorder capturing and storing critical navigation and operational data for accident investigation and performance analysis on maritime vessels.
• Integrated Bridge Systems Complete ship integrated bridge systems combining navigation, radar, ECDIS, and command-and-control subsystems to reduce workload and improve decision-making for maritime navigation and operations.
• PrecISR 1000 Airborne ISR Sensor Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance sensor system for monitoring illegal migration, preventing drug smuggling, and responding to multi-domain threats.
• TRML-4D Air Surveillance Radar High-performance air surveillance and target acquisition radar with 4D (range, azimuth, elevation, Doppler) capability for detecting and tracking aerial threats including stealth targets and unmanned systems.
• HADR NF TRL-4D LR Radar Long-range radar for airspace surveillance featuring TRL-4D LR/ROT technology designed to replace existing HADR systems.
• ATTICA Thermal Imaging Digital LWIR (long-wave infrared) and MWIR (mid-wave infrared) thermal imaging devices with on-site exchangeable detectors, turbulence correction, and advanced image stabilisation for visibility in challenging weather conditions.
• PERI RTWL Digital Stabilized high-precision observation and target acquisition system for Leopard 2A8, PUMA, and Boxer RCT30 tanks with mid- and long-wave infrared sensors plus Full HD daytime cameras.
• WAO Digital Stabilized long-range electro-optical target acquisition system with high-resolution infrared and daylight sensors featuring continuous zoom and full stabilization.
• SETAS See Through Armour System All-around vision system providing 360-degree visual situational awareness from inside armoured vehicles using high-resolution colour daylight cameras and uncooled thermal imaging cameras.
• MUSS 2.0 Active Protection System Next-generation active protection system featuring layered soft-kill capabilities against ATGMs, laser-guided munitions, and UAVs for medium-weight armoured vehicles, self-propelled artillery, IFVs, and Main Battle Tanks.
• ODAEON Optical Threat Detection System System for early detection of optical threats including enemy targeting systems and laser reconnaissance, developed as capability demonstrator for German Armed Forces.
• CAIRAS Missile Warning System Compact Infrared Reconnaissance and Alert System using passive dual-colour infrared technology for missile warning, detecting incoming missiles without emitting detectable signals with up to seven infrared sensors providing 360-degree coverage.
• AMPS Airborne Missile Protection System Airborne self-protection suite combining missile warning, radar warning, and decoy dispenser systems for aircraft and unmanned platforms against missiles and laser-guided munitions.
• Ceretron Sensor Management Software Sensor management software for land vehicles that links and fuses data streams from various sensor systems, evaluating them within seconds to provide AI-supported situational picture for faster decision-making.
• Elysion C-UAS Mission Core Counter-UAS mission software providing comprehensive protection against threats from uncooperative drones, deployed as a tablet-based mission core system.
• MDOcore Multi-Domain Operations Software Suite Software suite for Multi-Domain Operations connecting sensors and command-and-control systems across all domains (land, air, sea, cyber, space) with AI-driven data fusion, sensor resource management, and natural language query via LLMs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 18.4% adjusted EBITDA margin in FY 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• SRT Marine System Solutions LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026HENSOLDT UK secured two contracts with SRT Marine System Solutions Ltd to supply 50 radar systems for integrated national coastal surveillance systems in the UK. All deliveries scheduled for 2026. Systems will support enhanced monitoring and situational awareness across coastal environments.
• HelsingflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Strategic partnership for AI-powered autonomous combat aircraft (CA-1 Europa). HENSOLDT provides sensor technology including radar, optronics, self-protection and electromagnetic warfare for the CA-1 Europa. First concrete order is CAIRAS missile warning system (3 systems for initial deployment).
• Schwarz DigitsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership for sovereign cloud and IT infrastructure. Schwarz Digits provides STACKIT cloud solution covering edge nodes in deployment countries to secure data centres under European sovereignty. Essential for MDOcore deployment in sovereign defence architecture.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Thales: Thales is a French-headquartered defence electronics prime with overlapping radar (Ground Master, SMART-L), EW, optronics and sensor portfolios. Direct competitor in European defence procurement and a benchmark for HENSOLDT's sovereign positioning.
• Indra Sistemas: Indra is a Spanish IT and defence electronics company with comparable radar (LANZA), EW and command-and-control portfolios. Direct competitor in European sovereign defence procurement, smaller in scale but with similar positioning.
• Saab: Saab is a Swedish defence and sensor company (Giraffe radar, Arexis EW, Sea Giraffe naval radar) competing directly with HENSOLDT in European air and naval sensor markets. Closely comparable in mid-cap European defence electronics profile.
• Furuno: Furuno is a Japanese marine electronics specialist with overlapping commercial and naval radar, ECDIS and integrated bridge systems portfolios. Comparable as a maritime navigation and surveillance radar competitor specifically relevant to the HENSOLDT UK / Kelvin Hughes business.
• BAE Systems: BAE Systems is a UK-headquartered global defence prime with overlapping electronic warfare, radar and maritime systems portfolios. Comparable as a UK home defence supplier and a key Eurofighter partner to HENSOLDT on the Mk1 radar programme.
• Kongsberg Gruppen: Kongsberg is a Norwegian defence and maritime technology company with overlapping naval radar, combat systems and air surveillance (Kongsberg Naval & Aerospace) portfolios. Particularly comparable on maritime sensor content and Nordic/Baltic defence market overlap.
• Leonardo: Leonardo is an Italian defence prime with a comparable radar, EW and sensor portfolio (e.g., RAT-31, MFRA) and operates as a direct competitor on European platform programmes including Eurofighter. Strongly comparable on procurement scale and sovereign positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Rheinmetall: Rheinmetall is a German-headquartered defence prime focused on armoured vehicles (Leopard, Puma, Boxer) where HENSOLDT supplies sensors. Comparable as a German defence beneficiary of European rearmament, though HENSOLDT is a sub-tier supplier rather than direct competitor.
• Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems is an Israeli defence electronics company with overlapping EW, optronics and self-protection portfolios. Comparable as a non-European sensor supplier competing in international markets; less direct in sovereign European programmes.
• Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman is a US defence prime with broad radar, EW and sensor portfolios that competes internationally, though often excluded from sovereign European programmes. Comparable as a platform-level incumbent that HENSOLDT is positioning against with sovereign arguments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hensoldt-uk

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about HENSOLDT UK