Bonn,
Germany, 6 July 2026 – The Director of OCCAR-EA, Mr. Joachim Sucker, and the
President of EuroMIDS SAS, Mr Antonello Mangogna, signed the contract for the
ESSOR-MIDS 2 Programme marking a significant milestone in the development of
next-generation European tactical communications capabilities.
Managed by OCCAR on behalf of Spain, Germany, Italy, and France, the ESSOR-MIDS
Programme brings together EuroMIDS as Prime Contractor and four major European
defence companies as subcontractors: INDRA, HENSOLDT, Leonardo, and Thales.
A key objective of the programme is the development of a common European
terminal based on the ESSOR (European Secure Software Defined Radio)
architecture. Designed to replace current MIDS LVT terminals, the new system
will enhance Link 16 capabilities through advanced software-defined radio
technologies and waveforms. It will provide faster data exchange, improved
network performance, greater flexibility for future upgrades, and enhanced
interoperability among European armed forces and coalition partners.
The award of the ESSOR-MIDS 2 contract represents another important step
towards strengthening European defence cooperation and technological
sovereignty. By leveraging common standards and jointly developed technologies,
the programme will contribute to the delivery of a resilient, interoperable,
and future-ready communications capability for European armed forces.
As Europe continues to invest in next-generation defence systems, ESSOR-MIDS is
set to become a cornerstone of interoperable tactical communications, enabling
European forces to exchange critical information securely, rapidly, and
effectively across increasingly complex operational environments.