Rheinmetall Andoya Space Join Hands. (Artistic Illustration).
Andøya Space and Rheinmetall to Cooperate to Strengthen European Space Capabilities: Andøya, Norway – Norway’s Andøya Space and German defence company Rheinmetall’s nordic subsidiary Rheinmetall Nordic AS have agreed to increase mutual commercial capabilities for civil and military space operations. According to a press statement issued Monday, both the companies have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) in this regard. The purpose of this partnership is to respond to increasing security demands in Europe by rapidly deploying satellites and space assets.
As per the agreement, Andøya Space and Rheinmetall will focus on closing gaps in the satellite and launch-related value chain at Andøya, Norway. This alliance will provide regular commercial launch services and flexible, rapid response capabilities from the European mainland. It will also offer Tactical Responsive Launch (TacRL) capabilities, ensuring secure and resilient operation of satellites with expedited reaction times, Rheinmetall said in a statement sent to Defence Star.
“Hence, the connection between Andøya Space and Rheinmetall will be essential for upholding the strategic military and civil space infrastructure of Germany, Norway as well as of NATO member states and other strategic partner countries. Both companies have confirmed to ensure strategic autonomy, increased responsiveness, faster deployment of new capabilities, and operational advantages in the geopolitical climate,” said the German defence company.
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A rocket launched from Andoya Spaceport in Norway.
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Troels Sandreid, President of Andøya Spaceport, said: “This Letter of Intent is a significant milestone for Andøya Space. By bundling expertise and infrastructure, we are aiming at reinforcing Europe’s ability to respond swiftly and securely to emerging civil and military space demands”.
Thomas Berge Nielsen, CEO of Rheinmetall Nordic AS, said: “Looking at the development of European space capabilities, the collaboration with Andøya Space will be a decisive factor concerning our assortment for the civil and military sector. We are very much looking forward to working together”.
Aligning these two companies is an important step towards completing the Andøya space-value-chain and of developing state-of-the-art facilities and services on European soil.
Andøya Space and Rheinmetall are determined to offer these services to customers for commercial conditions, ensuring the successful execution of TacRL missions and regular launch services, said the company.
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