Airbus Defence announced that it had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with aerial data intelligence company and drone manufacturer Quantum Systems for a deeper strategic partnership.
The MoU was signed on the opening day of the Paris Air Show on June 16, 2025. Both companies are working together on solutions to seamlessly integrate tactical aerial reconnaissance in particular into modern command and information systems.
At the start of the Paris Air Show 2025, Quantum Systems and Airbus Defence and Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their strategic cooperation.
Both companies are working together on solutions to seamlessly integrate tactical aerial reconnaissance… pic.twitter.com/rRXpACOJ0l
— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) June 16, 2025
According to Airbus, the focus of the partnership is to quickly and effectively strengthen the capabilities of the armed forces while at the same time ensuring European technological sovereignty.
“In view of increasing geopolitical uncertainties and accelerated innovation cycles in the defence sector, resilient, interoperable and ready-to-use airborne surveillance and information systems are to be deployed in the short and medium term,” Airbus said.
Quantum Systems and Airbus are focusing on transparency and interface openness for their AI-supported reconnaissance and impact network. The European user should have full control over the technology, data and further development of the systems, Airbus said.
In addition, existing initiatives relating to open interfaces, digital battlefields and forward-looking simulation environments are to be jointly developed further. According to Airbus, the user-centred approach is a direct lesson from the developments on the battlefield in Ukraine, where Quantum Systems has its own production facility.
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, said: “The partnership is in line with Airbus’ strategic vision of shaping a European ecosystem in military aviation. In concrete terms, this is about ensuring Europe’s sovereignty in AI-supported mission systems and crewed-uncrewed teaming. Together, we are consistently thinking ‘software first’. This will enable military missions to be carried out more efficiently and effectively in future, while at the same time ensuring the adaptability of the systems.”
AeroTime editors and journalists are on the ground at Paris Air Show 2025 covering all the latest and biggest breaking news stories at this year’s event.
