HENSOLDT Names Viktoria Stürmer-Kuchelmeister Global Sales Chief
HENSOLDT has appointed Viktoria Stürmer-Kuchelmeister to lead global sales, business development and strategy from January 2027 as the German defense technology group expands internationally.
German defense electronics manufacturer HENSOLDT has appointed Viktoria Stürmer-Kuchelmeister to lead its global sales, business development and strategy operations from January 1, 2027, as the company prepares to accelerate its international expansion.
The appointment, announced on November 13, places Stürmer-Kuchelmeister in a newly structured leadership position that combines responsibility for international strategy, sales and business development in selected markets. She will also join HENSOLDT's Executive Committee.
She succeeds Russell Gould, who will leave the company on December 31, 2026, following more than six years with the German defense technology group.
A New Leadership Role for International Expansion
Stürmer-Kuchelmeister currently serves as Head of Sales for HENSOLDT's Radar & Electromagnetic Warfare Division, one of the company's key businesses supplying radar, surveillance and electronic warfare technologies to military customers.
Her professional background also includes service as an officer in the German Armed Forces, giving her direct experience with the operational environment and procurement requirements of military customers.
HENSOLDT CEO Oliver Dörre said her appointment reflects the importance of strengthening relationships with customers and expanding the company's international presence.
The newly organized position will support HENSOLDT's North Star corporate strategy, particularly its "Grow with Focus" initiative, which prioritizes expansion in selected markets and business areas.
The company said Gould's departure follows a mutual agreement, thanking him for his contributions to the group's development.
HENSOLDT Prepares for Its Next Growth Phase
The leadership announcement comes as HENSOLDT pursues an ambitious expansion strategy driven by European demand for air defense, electronic warfare and advanced military sensors.
As AdriaDefense recently reported, the company is targeting approximately €10 billion in annual revenue by 2035, supported by increased manufacturing capacity, international expansion and investment in software-defined defense technologies.
HENSOLDT reported revenue of approximately €2.46 billion in 2025 and employs around 10,000 people.
The group is also expanding production of its TRML-4D air defense radar, a system used in European air defense networks and deployed in Ukraine.
Earlier this year, HENSOLDT secured radar orders worth more than €100 million connected to the European Sky Shield Initiative.
More recently, Germany approved approximately €2.5 billion in defense projects, including an electronic warfare vehicle program involving HENSOLDT.
Commercial Leadership Becomes Increasingly Important
The appointment comes at a time when European defense manufacturers face growing demand, larger procurement programs and increasingly complex international partnerships.
For HENSOLDT, the challenge extends beyond increasing manufacturing capacity. The company must also coordinate sales operations, identify priority markets and translate its expanding technology portfolio into long-term contracts.
Combining global sales, business development and strategy under one executive could help align those activities as HENSOLDT develops its position as a broader systems and software-defined defense supplier.
Stürmer-Kuchelmeister will formally assume her responsibilities on January 1, 2027.
