In a significant move to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities and technological autonomy, Airbus Defence and Space and Quantum Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their strategic cooperation. The collaboration, announced at the Paris Air Show 2025, focuses on developing an advanced ecosystem for tactical aerial reconnaissance.
According to a press release from Airbus, the two companies are working together to seamlessly integrate aerial reconnaissance solutions into modern command and information systems. This effort aims to rapidly enhance the capabilities of armed forces while simultaneously safeguarding European technological sovereignty. The agreement comes amidst increasing geopolitical uncertainties and accelerated innovation cycles within the defense sector.
The partnership’s objective is to deploy resilient, interoperable, and ready-to-use airborne surveillance and information systems in the short to medium term. Notably, Airbus and Quantum Systems are emphasizing transparency and open interfaces for their AI-supported reconnaissance and impact network, a deliberate contrast to providers who utilize closed system architectures. This approach, as stated by the companies, is intended to grant European military users full control over the technology, data, and future upgrades of the systems.
Florian Seibel, CEO of Quantum Systems, mentioned that this collaboration sends a strong signal for the European defense industry. He indicated that together with Airbus, they are creating a networked, autonomous, and sovereign ecosystem for unmanned systems that will be operational, interoperable, and open to partners. He further explained that this will involve connecting Quantum Systems’ MOSAIC architecture beneath the Airbus CombatCloud, establishing a reconnaissance network from high altitudes down to the lowest levels on the battlefield.
Michael Schöllhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, stated that the partnership aligns with Airbus’s strategic vision of shaping a European ecosystem in military aviation. He specifically noted that it is about ensuring Europe’s sovereignty in AI-supported mission systems and crewed-uncrewed teaming. Schöllhorn added that the companies are consistently adopting a “software-first” approach, which will enable military missions to be carried out more efficiently and effectively in the future, while also ensuring the adaptability of the systems.
The joint initiatives will also include further development of existing efforts related to open interfaces, digital battlefields, and forward-looking simulation environments. The companies noted that their user-centered approach directly incorporates lessons learned from developments on the battlefield in Ukraine, where Quantum Systems maintains its own production facility and research and development hub.
