DSEI 2025 News Recap

ASELSAN unveils KORKUT 100/25 SB mobile counter-UAV system at DSEI 2025

ASELSAN has unveiled its next-generation mobile counter-UAV system, KORKUT 100/25 SB, at DSEI 2025 in London, marking a significant milestone in close-range air defence and tactical drone protection.

As Türkiye’s leading defence company, ASELSAN developed KORKUT 100/25 SB to address the growing threat of mini and micro-UAVs. The system combines soft-kill and hard-kill capabilities on a mobile platform, delivering superior operational flexibility and lethality. Armed with 25mm ATOM Airburst Smart Ammunition, it neutralises both individual drones and coordinated swarms.

Equipped with radar and electro-optic sensors, the system enables real-time detection, automatic tracking, and precise interception. Its AI-powered fire control software enhances effectiveness against fast, manoeuvrable UAVs, even during movement. The stabilised remote turret, featuring high-resolution day/thermal cameras and a laser rangefinder, ensures full operational readiness across diverse environments.

“The unveiling of KORKUT 100/25 SB at DSEI marks a major milestone for ASELSAN and the future of close-range air defence,” said Ahmet Akyol, ASELSAN President & CEO. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are proud to present this mission-ready system to our international partners, reaffirming ASELSAN’s commitment to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions that ensure operational superiority.”

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 HENSOLDT and KX Partner to Advance Real-Time Defence Data Capabilities

 Defence technology leader HENSOLDT and real-time analytics pioneer KX have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at DSEI 2025 to collaborate on next-generation defence data solutions.

The agreement unites HENSOLDT’s advanced sensors, mission systems, and Electromagnetic Warfare expertise with KX’s world-class ultra-low latency analytics platform. Together, the companies aim to deliver faster, smarter situational awareness to armed forces, starting with the German military and approved international partners.

“Modern defence operations demand the rapid transformation of sensor data into actionable intelligence,” said Jürgen Halder, Vice President Airborne SIGINT at HENSOLDT. “KX’s real-time analytics perfectly complement HENSOLDT’s sensor portfolio, creating a formidable capability to meet our customers’ most demanding operational needs.”

Gary Connolly, Vice President Aerospace, Defence, Space and Security at KX, added: “This strategic relationship extends KX’s proven real-time technology into mission-critical defence operations. Together with HENSOLDT, we will help armed forces achieve the speed, precision, and situational awareness required to succeed in the most demanding environments.”

The collaboration will initially focus on:

• Real-time command-level intelligence across multi-domain operations
• Advanced battlespace management
• Synthetic training environments
• Electromagnetic Warfare scenarios

As modern conflicts become increasingly data-driven, this partnership underscores a long-term commitment to delivering decisive information advantage and enabling mission success in future defence operations.

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Industry Partners Launch GCAP Electronics Evolution Consortium for Next-Generation Fighter Systems

The defence electronics industry champions of Japan, the UK, and Italy have formed the GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E) consortium, advancing the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) into its next phase.

The companies — Mitsubishi Electric (Japan), Leonardo UK (UK), and both Leonardo and ELT Group (Italy) — signed the consortium agreement in August, building on their original collaboration announced at DSEI Japan in March 2023. This step formalises trilateral cooperation, reinforcing the partners’ long-term commitment to GCAP.

The consortium is preparing to receive a contract from Edgewing, the joint venture between BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd., which represents the lead systems integrators for the GCAP combat aircraft.

Delivering ISANKE & ICS Capabilities

G2E will design and develop the fighter’s Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & ICS), along with a Through-Life Support Service (TLSS).

At the heart of GCAP, ISANKE & ICS will integrate and exploit vast streams of operational data, ensuring the aircraft outperforms previous generations with superior situational awareness and connectivity.

Strategic Location & Governance

The consortium’s leadership team will be based in Reading, UK, close to the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) and Edgewing, enabling seamless collaboration with national ministries of defence and programme leaders.

Strengthening Security & Skills

Through deep trilateral cooperation, GCAP Electronics Evolution is committed to delivering advanced capabilities in line with GCAP’s ambitious timeline. The consortium will also support industrial accountability, safeguard each nation’s freedom of action, and help achieve shared security, economic, and skills development goals across Europe and the Asia-Pacific.

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Rafael Unveils IRON BEAM 450 at DSEI 2025

Rafael CEO and President Yoav Tourgeman said: “The unveiling of the IRON BEAM 450 at DSEI shows how breakthroughs in high power laser technology revolutionize the air defense equation, enabling very low cost, high efficiency interceptions.”

The IRON BEAM 450 enhances Rafael’s laser portfolio with greater range, faster interception, and sustainable cost-per-engagement. It joins the High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) family, which also includes the mobile IRON BEAM-M, Naval IRON BEAM, and compact LITE BEAM™.

Alongside the new system, Rafael is highlighting its multi-layered air and missile defense solutions, including Iron Dome®, David’s Sling®, SPYDER®, MIC4AD™, Sky Spotter™, and Drone Dome®, providing nations with scalable and interoperable protection.

In the land domain, Rafael is showcasing TROPHY, the world’s only operational active protection system for armoured vehicles, now deployed on several armies’ main battle tanks and fighting vehicles.

Rafael is also presenting a counter-UAS portfolio featuring Drone Dome®, LITE BEAM™, Spectrum Dome™, and Hunter Eagle™, and a naval suite with C-Dome™, Naval IRON BEAM™, Torbuster™, and C-GEM™, offering integrated defence across air, land, and sea.

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 Thales signs first export contract with Malaysia for HF XL radios at DSEI 2025

Thales has announced its first export contract for the new HF XL TRC 3900 radio systems, with Malaysia becoming the first international customer to adopt the technology.

Signed in partnership with Advanced Defence Systems (ADS) Sdn. Bhd., the agreement covers over 100 complete vehicle-mounted stations, including radios, amplifiers and antennas.

Unveiled at Eurosatory 2024, the HF XL system delivers ten times the data rate of conventional HF radios, providing secure, resilient long-range communications in environments where satellite access is limited. The solution enables large data transfers, including images and video, while maintaining low operating costs and strong protection against jamming.

The TRC 3900 family also offers 20W manpack radios for mobile operations up to 1,000 km, and 400W and 1kW stations for command posts with ranges up to 5,000 km.

Thales has a strong legacy in Malaysia, having delivered over 10,000 radios to the Malaysian Army in the past 25 years. The new HF XL radios are fully interoperable with existing systems, reinforcing Thales’ role as a trusted defence partner.

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