Airbus Defence and Space and Quantum Systems have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 2025 Paris Air Show to enhance their strategic cooperation on tactical aerial reconnaissance solutions for European defense.
The partnership focuses on developing interoperable, AI-powered systems to bolster European defense capabilities and sovereignty, in line with Europe's emphasis on defense readiness.
The collaboration aims to establish an aerial intelligence network linking high-altitude platforms with low-level battlefield assets to create a networked, autonomous, and sovereign ecosystem for unmanned systems.
Airbus and Quantum Systems prioritize transparency and open interfaces, providing European military users full control over technology, data, and upgrades.
The companies plan to work on digital battlefields, simulation environments, and modular AI-supported mission systems to ensure rapid adoption and scalability of airborne reconnaissance tools for European forces.
Lessons from Ukraine's evolving combat environments drive the collaboration, with Quantum Systems leveraging real-time feedback from operational deployments through its R&D and production facility in Ukraine.
The partnership underscores Airbus' strategic vision of forming a European ecosystem in military aviation to secure Europe's sovereignty in AI-supported mission systems and crewed-uncrewed teaming.
The alliance combines Airbus's global reach with Quantum Systems' expertise in autonomous systems to support Europe in controlling its defense technologies and advancing local innovation.
The collaboration aligns with efforts to strengthen European defense capabilities, highlighting flexibility, transparency, and European ownership as crucial elements in future unmanned system development and deployment.