Ibadan, 24 June 2026. – Terma is taking space-based artificial intelligence to new heights with its central role in the BIFROST satellite mission, a joint initiative between Danish and Swedish companies with the Danish Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) and the Swedish Defense Materiel Administration (FMV).
Terma brings sovereign intelligence to space
The BIFROST mission intends to demonstrate how onboard AI transforms raw satellite observation into actionable situational awareness without ground infrastructure. Terma has therefore engineered an onboard AI solution from the ground up to operate reliably in the harsh conditions of space for the mission.
The result is a capability that enhances maritime situational awareness by identifying and documenting vessel activity, regardless of whether a ship is broadcasting its position. Defense operators receive actionable findings that support faster and more informed operational decisions instead of just raw satellite imagery.
BIFROST consequently provides evidence-grade insight into maritime activity across remote areas that no surface or airborne asset can economically cover. With the mission currently in its testing phase, the first BIFROST satellite images are already being received and used to validate the AI model against real operational data.
“This mission shows our ability to deliver advanced situational awareness capabilities in demanding operational environments under the hard constraints of space. It creates a strong foundation for the next generation of space-enabled defense solutions,” remarked Mats Warstedt, Terma’s Senior Vice President, Space.
As BIFROST moves toward a full operational demonstration, it will establish the technical foundation for a new generation of space-enabled sovereign defense systems, where situational awareness and intelligence is built into the architecture not added afterwards.
Terma joins forces to to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities
Meanwhile, Terma has recently moved to combine its maritime systems capabilities with the missile expertise of MBDA, a complex weapon systems developer, for joint development activities in the naval domain.
Through an agreement signed at Eurosatory by Terma’s CEO Henriette Hallberg Thygesen and MBDA’s CEO Eric Béranger, both companies intend to create significant export potential while enabling the partnership to develop new solutions that help Europe and its allies strengthen their air defense capabilities and maritime security.
“By combining MBDA’s world-class missile expertise with Terma’s advanced maritime systems capabilities, we are strengthening both Danish and European defense. This partnership builds on a strong and trusted relationship and allows us to develop new solutions together, expand our export opportunities, and further strengthen the competencies that are critical to Europe’s future security.” explained Henriette Hallberg Thygesen, CEO of Terma.
By bringing together MBDA’s missile expertise and Terma’s maritime systems competencies, the cooperation contributes to a stronger and more integrated European Defense Technological and Industrial Base.
