Diehl Defence has signed an agreement with General Atomics Europe, the former owner of EST Energetics GmbH in Rothenburg/Saxony, to acquire the company. A subsidiary of Diehl Defence will take over the business operations of EST Energetics. The legal transfer will take place on July 1, 2026.
Since its founding in 1994, EST Energetics has been involved in the recycling of lithium-metal batteries, airbag disposal, the recycling of fireworks, as well as the demilitarization of military equipment, and currently has more than 60 employees. Diehl Defence intends to continue business operations with the current workforce and to expand its activities in the field of military equipment disposal.
With this acquisition, Diehl Defence is expanding its range of services in the field of explosive ordnance disposal, thereby strengthening its market position as one of the leading partners for explosive ordnance management in Germany.
General Atomics Europe will accompany the transition and support future business operations through close cooperation with Diehl Defence. The acquisition will have no impact on the EST Energetics workforce. The company will also continue to offer its services as usual.
The acquisition and integration into the organization of Diehl Defence provide a foundation for the stable continuation of business operations at the Rothenburg location and long-term prospects for stimulating the regional economy in Upper Lusatia.






![Diehl Defence strengthens NATO air defence in the Baltic states [Photo © Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/IMGL8186-218x150.jpg)
![Diehl Defence and SMS strengthen strategic partnership for HYDEF2 Javier Rincon (COO, SMS), Ignacio Bengoechea (President, SMS), Dr. Harald Buschek (CPO, Diehl Defence), Dirk Krogmann (Senior Vice President Future Technologies, Diehl Defence) (from left) [Photo © Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/DDK2118-218x150.jpg)
![Elbit Systems and Diehl Defence Form Strategic Partnership [Photo © Elbit Systems]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Abb1_SkyStriker-1-218x150.jpg)

![Diehl Defence: launch of 122 mm training rockets production in Germany [Photos © Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Firing_of_122_mm_Training_Rocket-218x150.jpg)
![Diehl Defence plans service hub in Latvia for customer support services in the Baltic States Photo (from left): Andris Sprūds (Minister of Defence Latvia), Ivo Rubīns (Member of the Board, Ripo Remonta Centrs), Gianluca Palmisano (Vice President Industrial Participation and Offset, Diehl Defence), Oliver Haas (Senior Vice President Customer Support, Diehl Defence) [Photo © Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026_03_16_PM_Lettland-218x150.jpg)
![Diehl Defence and Indra team up to boost European sovereignty in air and missile defence Photo (from left): Roland Greiner (Vice President International Sales for Latin America, Spain and Portugal, Diehl Defence), Helmut Rauch (CEO, Diehl Defence), Ángel Escribano (Executive Chairman, Indra Group), José Vicente de los Mozos (CEO, Indra Group) [Photo: © Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DDK8539-Edit-Kopie-218x150.jpg)
![Diehl Defence UGV Ziesel with PLATON autonomy kit impresses at Enforce Tac 2026 [Photo © Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DDK8065-Kopie-218x150.jpg)
![KDV becomes GARMR: Diehl Defence presents combat value-enhanced C-UAV system at Enforce Tac 2026 [Art works/Photos © Diehl Defence]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GARMR_MRS-Kopie-218x150.jpg)