Helsing and OHB Establish JV to Develop Space-Based Reconnaissance Systems

(Bremen/Munich, Germany) European artificial intelligence defense company Helsing and European space group OHB (OHB.DE) announced today (May 19) the establishment of a joint venture to develop a space-based tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting system.

Image courtesy of Helsing.

Per today’s press release from Helsing, the working title of the project project is ‘KIRK’, which stands for Künstliche Intelligenz und Raumfahrt-Kompetenz (Artificial Intelligence and Space Competence).

The two companies are simultaneously assuming joint leadership of the  consortium comprising Helsing, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and HENSOLDT – which OHB is now joining – which, according to Helsing, addresses a critical capability gap on the modern battlefield.

Helsing, Kongsberg and HENSOLDT initially agreed upon a partnership to build a European space-based tactical targeting system in December 2025; per Helsing, this alliance is now being expanded with new partner OHB.

"The war in Ukraine demonstrates how important space-based targeting is. 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,” said Gundbert Scherf, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Helsing. “We must ensure that Europe wins the battle for sovereignty in orbit. OHB and Helsing will make sure of that together with their strong consortium partners."

OHB CEO Marco Fuchs said: "Space systems are essential to making the Bundeswehr the strongest and most modern army in Europe. 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."