Effective January 1, 2026, HENSOLDT AG will appoint Sven Heursch as Chief Digital Officer (CDO), transitioning from his role as Head of Software-Defined Defense & Digitalization.
Heursch's inclusion in the Group Executive Committee (GEC) highlights the emphasis on software-defined defense (SDD) and digitalization, aligning with HENSOLDT's 'North Star' corporate strategy. Heursch will report to CEO Oliver Dörre.
Leadership and Strategic Development
The new CDO role at HENSOLDT will integrate leadership of the CTO division with engineering governance
The new CDO role at HENSOLDT will integrate leadership of the CTO division with engineering governance, ensuring stronger innovation capabilities in software, data, and AI across the product range.
This strategic move also prioritizes cybersecurity as a central design component, aiming to reinforce 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."
Driving Digitalization
Heursch emphasized the importance of his new position in advancing the digitalization strategy within HENSOLDT. He stated, "The position creates clear responsibilities for the digitalization 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, his responsibilities will encompass overseeing technology roadmaps, setting engineering standards, and implementing modularization to enhance scalability and interoperability within the company.
Technological Advancements
The digital shift under Heursch will also involve forming scalable, software-based sensor solutions
The digital transformation under Heursch will also involve developing scalable, software-based sensor solutions and AI-enhanced data fusion technologies. These initiatives include software suites like MDOcore and other digital services tailored for military and security applications.
Heursch, who took over as Head of Software-Defined Defense & Digitalization in August 2025, has been instrumental in driving forward the group's digital agenda.
Experience and Expertise
Prior to joining HENSOLDT, Sven Heursch had a distinguished 26-year career in the German Armed Forces, achieving the rank of Colonel (General Staff) and gaining extensive experience in modern conflict requirements through deployments in Afghanistan.
After his military service, he transitioned to strategy and technology consulting for international defense firms, focusing on digital modernization and transformation programs. This blend of military and industry experience informs his approach to the evolving challenges within the defense sector in the digital era.
HENSOLDT AG announces that Sven Heursch, previously Head of Software-Defined Defense & Digitalization, 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 defense (SDD) and the digitalization 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 Defense & Digitalization 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.
Digitalization of the entire product portfolio
Sven Heursch adds: "The position creates clear responsibilities for the digitalization 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 modularization across all business areas and increase scalability, delivery speed and interoperability throughout the company with a consistent focus on digitalization.
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 Defense & Digitalization 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 modernization and technological development
After his military career, he moved into global strategy and technology consulting, where he advised international defense companies on transformation programmes, digital modernization and technological development.
The combination of military experience, strategic and technological industry expertise and transformation competence shapes his perspective on the challenges facing the defense industry in the context of the 2.0 era.
