Ukrinform reports this, citing Diehl Group's 2025 annual report.

The report stated that, in addition to the continued demand for ground-based air defense systems (GBAD), Diehl Defence was seeing a rapid increase in demand among a number of potential customers for counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (Counter-UAS, C-UAS) capabilities. It added that, to meet this demand, the company was currently developing the Sky Sphere counter-UAS system, which includes the CICADA effector and would complement the company's already field-tested defense systems.

The CICADA effector was first presented in full to defense industry specialists at the Enforce Tac exhibition in February 2025. In November, it successfully passed tests at the military training range in Grafenwoehr, Bavaria.

The technical specifications of Sky Sphere and CICADA, their range, and the method used to engage targets are not disclosed in the report. The company also did not specify a timeline for the completion of development, the start of serial production, or possible customers for the system.

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Separately, Diehl Defence is developing an enhanced Kinetic Defence Vehicle system designed to protect highly mobile units and fixed installations from small drones at close range, as well as from aircraft-type drones operating at significant altitude.

Among the company's other promising projects mentioned in the report are the IDAS missile for submarine defense, the European HYDEF interceptor project for hypersonic targets, and the long-range IRIS-T SLX air defense system.

The report also states that Diehl Defence continues to supply military equipment to Ukraine under contracts concluded by the German federal government. The company does not specify the types, quantities, or delivery timelines.

As Ukrinform reported, the German defense company Diehl Defence is in talks with the Ukrainian weapons manufacturer Fire Point about the possible joint production of Flamingo cruise missiles in Germany.

Photo: diehl.com/annual-report