Autonomy may dominate the headlines, but at Xponential Europe in Düsseldorf, one message is unmistakable: autonomy without defence is a liability.

From 24 to 26 March, Diehl Defence is making its first appearance at the European edition of Xponential, presenting a portfolio focused squarely on counter‑drone warfare—an area moving rapidly from specialist niche to operational necessity. Once a showcase for civilian robotics and autonomous systems, Xponential has expanded its military dimension significantly this year, mirroring the evolving realities of global security. [soldat-und...technik.de]

At the heart of Diehl Defence’s stand is Garmr, a highly mobile and combat‑enhanced counter‑UAV system. First unveiled at Enforce Tac in Nuremberg in February, Garmr reflects a shift in thinking about drone defence: speed, modularity, and deployability now matter as much as raw firepower. In modern conflict environments, threats are airborne, low‑cost, and increasingly autonomous—and defence systems must respond in kind.

Alongside Garmr, Diehl Defence is displaying the Cicada effector, part of the modular Sky Sphere system designed for drone interception. The emphasis here is layered defence: sensors, command systems, and effectors working together to counter a spectrum of aerial threats. It is a concept shaped not by theory, but by observation—of how drones are actually used on today’s battlefields.

Yet Xponential is not only about the air. On the ground, Diehl Defence presents the Ziesel Unmanned Ground Vehicle, equipped with the Platon autonomy kit, highlighting the growing convergence of robotics, autonomy, and force protection. The presence of Libelle, a next‑generation loitering munition intended for engaging armored vehicles, further underlines how unmanned systems are no longer peripheral—they are integral to modern military planning.

Completing the picture is a model of the launcher from the IRIS‑T SLM ground‑based air defence system, a reminder that counter‑UAV capabilities do not exist in isolation but are increasingly integrated into broader, layered air‑defence architectures. [soldat-und...technik.de]

Diehl Defence’s involvement goes beyond hardware. On 24 and 25 March, the exhibition hosts the German Drone‑Defence & Innovation Forum, a conference program strategically partnered with the German Armed Forces and supported by Diehl Defence. The forum places emphasis not only on capability, but on credibility—how systems are tested, certified, and legally approved in increasingly complex operational and regulatory environments.

Michael Sporer, Senior Vice President Protection Systems at Diehl Defence, is contributing to the program with both a keynote and panel participation. His focus: the often‑overlooked challenges of certification and testing for counter‑drone systems—issues that can determine whether a technology moves from exhibition floor to operational deployment.

The message from Düsseldorf is clear. Drone defence is no longer a future requirement—it is a present one. And as drones become cheaper, smarter, and more numerous, counter‑UAV systems must evolve just as quickly.

At Xponential Europe, Diehl Defence is not selling a single product. It is presenting a philosophy: layered defence, operational realism, and autonomy that serves protection—not vulnerability.

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