Defence Eye has reported that the UK is in discussions with German defence firm Hensoldt about a possible purchase of its Pegasus signals-intelligence aircraft.
The outlet’s piece, available here, says the talks have progressed under the Trinity House framework and could feature in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.
UK and US have a highly coordinated collaboration over Rivet Joint, which is already planned out all the way to 2035 and includes agreement over tanker support (100 USAF Wing, Mildenhall, due to Boom “issue” x Voyager). I struggle to imagine wanting to signal an early exit. pic.twitter.com/mT1dfakMMZ
— Gabriele Molinelli (@Gabriel64869839) November 14, 2025
Pegasus is based on the Bombardier Global 6000 business jet and carries Hensoldt’s Kalaetron Integral mission system, which is designed to detect, analyse and geolocate radio and radar emissions across a broad frequency range.
Germany is acquiring three aircraft to restore a capability it has lacked since the withdrawal of the Breguet Atlantic in 2010. That programme is valued at about €1.54 billion and includes ground elements, evaluation systems and training infrastructure.
Hensoldt is the prime contractor and leads development of the reconnaissance technology, while Lufthansa Technik Defence manages aircraft procurement, structural modifications and mission-system integration. Bombardier Defence undertakes the initial conversion work at its site in Wichita before the aircraft are transferred to Hamburg for the installation of the SIGINT suite.
Almost 30 German companies support the wider programme.
Let me make it more interesting: “UK reportedly considers purchasing something”
Is this meant to be the successor to the RAF’s Sentinel R!?
based on the article it will be a replacement for the Rivet Joints.
Considering the complaining that has gone on around the decision to use a british firm for the new nuclear reactors, i can’t imagine this will go down well with the trump adminstration.
The Rivet joints are ancient airframes and due to go out of service in 2035. By the time Pegasus gets into German service that time will be coming up. Trump will be long gone.
There is no schedules replacement from the US side and the RAF page in 2021 said UK and the US entered a £910m context to support it to 2035, so I doubt we will bin it early.
Makes sense if we are developing long range 2000km strike with the Germans. We will need sovereign ability to locate targets and plan flight routes.
Agreed with all that but only problem is the defence plan is next year, and with the whole tarrifs issues I suspect the government will be nervous about announcing a European replacement for a US asset.
Trump isn’t the smartest cookie in the jar and is doing a lot to damage the US people, economy and reputation, but it’s hard to argue that his bully boy tactics have worked against everyone other than Russia and china. China so far has out trump trump and got the best of every stand off.
Didn’t the Trump administration want the UK to go down a different route IE purchase American made reactors?? I think they wanted the UK to purchase larger reactors from Westinghouse?? But aren’t Westinghouse having financial difficulties so much so that the Trump administration is thinking of bailing them out or taking a stake in the company??
Yep. That’s my point, they are putting pressure on any decision not to buy US. I assume they wanted the UK to prop up Westinghouse. Something I’m glad we didn’t, as last thing we want is a company in financial difficulties building something that can melt down if corners are cut.
The thinking is the US administration is making it clear that the larger plant that is due to be ordered in a few years, has to be built by the US firm or the UK will face consequences. The thinking is the US gov isn’t too worried about these small plants, and their focus is on the big order hence why not immediate tarrifs.
The RC-135 Rivet Joint was a very expensive emergency purchase when the Nimrod R.1 was suddenly grounded in 2011. But if we get 20 years of service from the RC-135s, that will be at least par with most MOD procurements, value for money wise.