Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands

Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands, also called Airbus Netherlands, is a space technology company based in Leiden. More than two hundred professionals work there. They share a passion for technology and work in the space industry. The company is part of Airbus, which describes its aim as pioneering sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world.

The company has been a partner of the Dutch aerospace and defence industry since the late 1960s. It has more than fifty years of knowledge and experience, which it uses every day in aerospace and defence. It says it works by thinking creatively about solutions and by working with like minded partners.

At Leiden, the company designs, makes and assembles space products. These include solar arrays for small satellites and constellations, optical ground stations, terminals for laser satellite communications, and launcher structures. Airbus SE is also legally headquartered in Leiden.

Solar arrays are a core activity. The company has provided satellites with power since 1979. Its Sparkwing product is described as the first commercially available off the shelf solar array for smallsats. Buyers pick a configuration from a catalogue, place an order and have it delivered. The standard building blocks and a three step approach aim to cut the effort from order to orbit.

Laser communications is another area. The company works on optical communication and sells LaserPort optical ground stations. In July 2026 it announced, with SES and the Dutch municipality of Noordwijk, plans to build a satellite optical ground station for EAGLE 1. The company also makes HiPer Flexlinks, which are flight proven, lightweight and flexible point to point thermal straps.

The structures team develops lightweight, high strength core components for Europe's launchers. A separate defence activity page sits alongside the space work. The company also has a page of its past and current projects, and a heritage page that tells its history.

Airbus Netherlands is also part of the Airbus Tech Hub in the Netherlands. The hub aims to speed up research and technology partnerships within the local ecosystem for aerospace innovation. In October 2025 the site reported that Airbus and the Netherlands strengthened their aerospace partnership during a Dutch royal visit to Toulouse. The website is available in English and Dutch.

Services

• Solar arrays
• Sparkwing solar arrays
• Laser communications
• LaserPort optical ground stations
• HiPer Flexlinks thermal straps
• Launcher structures
• Defence activities