Berlin, June 14, 2026, 21:02 (CEST)
- Elbit Systems and Diehl Defence reached a deal to team up on SkyStriker loitering munitions for the Bundeswehr. Both companies say they’ll shift some production to Germany if they win contracts.
- SkyStriker is able to hold a warhead up to 10 kg, loiter for more than two hours and travel more than 200 km, the companies said.
- Elbit shares jumped 11.5% Thursday, June 11, following news of the German deal and attention on a U.S. SIGMA howitzer partnership, Investors.com said.
Elbit Systems and Diehl Defence are working together to pitch the SkyStriker loitering munition to the German Armed Forces, after agreeing a strategic partnership at ILA Berlin. The deal would see production and support in Germany if the system is selected, the companies said. Diehl added that the agreement also involves local manufacturing, assembly, integration and qualification work in Germany.
SkyStriker is being marketed as a long-range, autonomous loitering munition built to locate, track and hit targets picked by an operator. Elbit and Diehl report the weapon can take a warhead up to 10 kg, stay in the air over two hours, and fly out past 200 km. It can launch from land vehicles, EuroPULS rocket systems, ships, containers or aircraft.
European defense firms are using ILA Berlin this week to win business from governments wanting to modernize and beef up their domestic supply chains. Reuters said manufacturers at the German show made their pitch with new tech for military buyers, as defense budgets surge. Aviation Week’s June 11 Daily Briefs put the Elbit-Diehl SkyStriker deal on its list of aerospace and defense news.
Elbit President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis said the firms want to deliver a “powerful and future-ready solution for the German Armed Forces.” Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch said the deal would “strengthen Germany’s capabilities in this segment,” and pointed to Berlin’s drive for independent defense. Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems shares gained 11.5% Thursday, June 11, after the company said it’s teaming up with Diehl, according to Investors.com. The Israeli defense contractor also had its U.S. arm partner with Anduril Industries earlier in June, offering the SIGMA Mobile Tactical Cannon for the U.S. Army’s Self-Propelled Howitzer Modernization program.
Elbit’s latest U.S. partnership gives its land-systems drive a second track. Elbit Systems of America said it signed a June 2 teaming agreement with Anduril to combine Elbit America’s ground vehicle know-how with Anduril’s C5ISR, battle-management, and autonomy software. Oshkosh Defense is set to provide the 10×10 platform, with over 300 U.S. suppliers expected to back the project.
Luke Savoie, president and CEO of Elbit America, said teaming up with Anduril aims to “reduce network integration risk and accelerate fielding.” Michael Roder, managing director at Anduril, said the company will help deliver a “connected, software-defined mobile artillery solution.” Elbit is bringing together weapons, software, autonomy, and industrial partners in Germany and the U.S. Elbit America
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