HENSOLDT and IBM have signed an agreement to cooperate on software-defined defense technologies, with a focus on accelerating development of HENSOLDT’s MDOcore battlefield software platform.
IBM Germany is expected to support selected MDOcore functions with AI tools, automation, software engineering, and secure data platform technologies.
HENSOLDT said the collaboration is intended to shorten development timelines and reduce integration risks while retaining control over system architecture and data sovereignty.
“Software-defined defense requires powerful software and data architectures that can be flexibly integrated into complex and sovereign defence systems,” stated Sven Heursch, Chief Digital Officer at HENSOLDT.
Wolfgang Wendt, Chairman of the Management Board of IBM Deutschland GmbH and General Manager of IBM Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, said that “the planned collaboration with HENSOLDT allows us to uniquely combine proven standard software and our military-proven IT assets with HENSOLDT’s exceptional sensor and systems expertise.”
Software-Defined Defense
MDOcore is a military data management and software integration platform designed to connect sensors, weapon systems, and command infrastructure across operational domains, rather than relying on standalone platforms.
It collects, organizes, and processes data from distributed military assets, ranging from frontline sensors and weapon systems to battlefield data centers and secure cloud environments, converting fragmented information into operational insights for command decision-making.
The system combines data fusion, semantic technologies, and AI-driven analytics to detect patterns and anomalies across large, distributed datasets.
Its functions support battlefield coordination, intelligence analysis, and information-led mission management.
MDOcore has been integrated into platforms such as Munich-based Helsing’s CA-1 Europa drone, enabling the uncrewed combat aircraft to operate as an autonomous intelligence asset for multi-domain missions.
