EU to choose between German, French firms for hypersonic missile interceptors

The European Commission is choosing between two contenders to develop hypersonic missile interceptors — Germany’s Diehl Defence and France’s MBDA, three sources with knowledge of the plans told Euractiv on condition of anonymity.

According to the outlet, Diehl Defence is responsible for the technical coordination of the HYDEF (HYpersonic DEFence Interceptor Programme) system, which is being developed under a programme led by Spain’s engineering company Sener. The HYDEF system is designed to intercept missiles travelling at speeds exceeding Mach 5.

Meanwhile, French defence company MBDA is developing a rival project known as HYDIS (Hypersonic Defence Interceptor System). The two programmes were initially developed in parallel but are now competing for a single funding slot.

Sources said the European Commission plans to allocate funding to only one of the two programmes in 2026. An official announcement on financing is expected later this week.

A merger of the two projects has not been ruled out. However, one source noted that such a move would still intensify competition between France and Germany.

Euractiv stressed that the decision on which company secures the tender is expected to have significant political and industrial consequences for EU member states over the coming decades.

By Khagan Isayev