HENSOLDT AG has announced the appointment of Sven Heursch as its Chief Digital Officer (CDO), effective from 1 January 2026. Previously serving as the Head of Software-Defined Defence & Digitalisation, Heursch will join the Group Executive Committee (GEC) as a permanent member, reporting to CEO Oliver Dörre.
This move highlights the pivotal role of software-defined defence and digitalisation within HENSOLDT's corporate strategy, known as the ‘North Star’.
Leadership responsibility
The newly established role unites leadership of the Chief Technology Officer division and engineering governance with Heursch's previous position, thereby reinforcing innovation across the company's offerings. It aims to prioritise cyber security as a central design driver and strengthen HENSOLDT's standing in software-defined sensor solutions.
CEO Oliver Dörre commented, "Sven Heursch has already achieved a great deal in a very short time in his previous role. In his new role, he will provide decisive impetus for the further implementation of our “North Star” strategy and thus make a significant contribution to our future growth."
Digitalisation of the entire product portfolio
As CDO, he will oversee the company's digital transformation, managing technology roadmaps
Heursch stated, "The position creates clear responsibilities for the digitalisation of the entire product portfolio, a one-stop engineering transformation, the cultural development into a digital company, and modern development and operating models for our products. I look forward to implementing these tasks together with the technology and engineering teams."
As CDO, he will oversee the company's digital transformation, managing technology roadmaps, engineering standards, and enhancing modularisation to boost scalability and speed of delivery. This includes developing scalable, software-based sensor solutions and AI-powered data services.
Requirements of modern conflicts
Sven Heursch assumed the role of Head of Software-Defined Defence & Digitalisation at HENSOLDT on 1 August 2025, where he played a crucial role in driving digital transformation. Prior to joining HENSOLDT, Heursch had a 26-year career in the German Armed Forces, serving as an officer in the Air Force up to the rank of Colonel (General Staff) and gaining significant insight into modern conflict requirements through deployments in Afghanistan.
Following his military service, he worked in global strategy and technology consulting, advising defence companies on transformation programs, digital modernisation, and technological development. His combined military, strategic, and technological experience informs his approach to the challenges in the defence industry's 2.0 era.
HENSOLDT AG announces that Sven Heursch, previously Head of Software-Defined Defence & Digitalisation, will be appointed Chief Digital Officer (CDO) with effect from 1 January 2026. In this role, Heursch will be a permanent member of the Group Executive Committee (GEC) and report directly to CEO Oliver Dörre.
This appointment underscores the strategic importance of software-defined defence (SDD) and the digitalisation of the product portfolio as central elements of HENSOLDT's ‘North Star’ corporate strategy.
Leadership responsibility
The new role combines leadership responsibility for the CTO division and engineering governance with the role of Head of Software-Defined Defence & Digitalisation in order to anchor innovation, software, data and AI even more firmly across the entire product portfolio, establish cyber security as a key design driver and thus expand HENSOLDT's position as a pioneer of resilient software-defined sensor solutions.
"Sven Heursch has already achieved a great deal in a very short time in his previous role. In his new role, he will provide decisive impetus for the further implementation of our “North Star” strategy and thus make a significant contribution to our future growth," says CEO Oliver Dörre.
Digitalisation of the entire product portfolio
Sven Heursch adds: "The position creates clear responsibilities for the digitalisation of the entire product portfolio, a one-stop engineering transformation, the cultural development into a digital company, and modern development and operating models for our products. I look forward to implementing these tasks together with the technology and engineering teams."
The Chief Digital Officer is responsible for the entire digital transformation of the product portfolio and will, among other things, manage technology roadmaps, engineering standards and modularisation across all business areas and increase scalability, delivery speed and interoperability throughout the company with a consistent focus on digitalisation.
This includes the development of scalable, software-based sensor solutions, AI-supported data fusion and software suites such as MDOcore, and digital services for military and security-related applications.
Requirements of modern conflicts
Sven Heursch took on the role of Head of Software-Defined Defence & Digitalisation at HENSOLDT on 1 August 2025. Since then, he has been a key driver of the HENSOLDT Group's digital transformation. Before joining HENSOLDT, Heursch served in the German Armed Forces for 26 years as an officer in the Air Force, reaching the rank of Colonel (General Staff).
His assignments included missions in Afghanistan (2009 and 2010), which gave him a deep understanding of the operational and tactical requirements of modern conflicts.
Digital modernisation and technological development
After his military career, he moved into global strategy and technology consulting, where he advised international defence companies on transformation programmes, digital modernisation and technological development.
The combination of military experience, strategic and technological industry expertise and transformation competence shapes his perspective on the challenges facing the defence industry in the context of the 2.0 era.
