European Union-built, ITAR-free inertial navigation solutions expand to new customers and platforms as allied nations accelerate defence investment
Honeywell Aerospace is seeing demand growth across its international defence business, anchored by its Civitanavi Systems inertial navigation systems now supporting customers across Ukraine, Poland, Italy, the United Kingdom and the broader European defence industrial base. The growth is attributed to the strategic value of EU-origin technology in an environment where program speed and supply chain certainty have become decisive factors.
In Ukraine, Honeywell Aerospace has cultivated relationships during the past several years resulting in substantial firm backlog. This includes a significant and growing partnership with Luch Design Bureau, Ukraine’s premier missile and precision weapons developer, via its U.S.- and EU-developed precision navigation products supporting the country’s ongoing defence requirements. The business reflects both the growing global reputation of Civitanavi Systems’ inertial measurement units, designed and manufactured entirely within the European Union, and Honeywell Aerospace’s ability to scale delivery in response to urgent operational need. Honeywell Aerospace acquired Civitanavi Systems in 2024.
Matt Milas, president, Defence & Space, Honeywell Aerospace, said, “Across Europe, localised defence investment has shifted from policy commentary to accelerating procurement activity. European defence customers are building programs for the long term, and they need partners with the capabilities, the supply chain, and the manufacturing scale to match that ambition. Civitanavi Systems, along with our broader Honeywell Aerospace international footprint, positions us well to meet their growing needs.”
The Civitanavi Systems ARGO 4000 inertial measurement unit, capable of providing precision navigation independent of GPS or other satellite signals in jammed, spoofed or denied environments, has become a preferred solution for European OEMs integrating guidance capability into missile programs, unmanned platforms, maritime vessels and land vehicles.
Mike Vallillo, vice president, International Defence & Space, Honeywell Aerospace, said, “Country of origin has become an increasingly important consideration for our European customers and Civitanavi Systems’ EU-built portfolio gives us a meaningful position in those conversations. The acquisition gave us a strong foundation; what we’ve focused on since is expanding that reach to serve customers across multiple regions.”
Growth in the region reflects the broader commercial thesis behind Honeywell Aerospace’s acquisition of Civitanavi Systems: that EU-origin inertial navigation capability, combined with Honeywell Aerospace’s global sales reach, manufacturing scale and supply chain infrastructure, would expand the company’s presence across the European defence market. The Civitanavi Systems synergy pipeline has grown into a substantial opportunity pipeline, driven by expanded customer relationships across Europe and new platform integrations that are a direct result of combining the capabilities of the two companies.
The European defence market context reinforces the opportunity. NATO member nations, of which just three of 31 met the 2% GDP defence spending guideline in 2014, finally reached full compliance in 2025, with a new 5% ambition agreed for 2035. European programs spanning next-generation weapons, unmanned systems and sovereign air defence are creating sustained long-cycle demand for guidance and navigation technology with allied-nation supply chains.
Honeywell Aerospace expects continued expansion of its Civitanavi Systems navigation business across Europe and is actively pursuing new customer relationships in the region as allied nations increase defence investment.
