Schaeffler AG announced on Monday that Celia Pelaz will become CEO of its "Defence & New Space" business unit and manage the board of STech Defence GmbH, a newly founded subsidiary, effective October 1, 2026. Pelaz brings more than 25 years of international experience in the defence and space industry, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer at Spire Global, Inc., a satellite data provider.
Klaus Rosenfeld, CEO of Schaeffler AG, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, calling Pelaz "one of the most distinguished and experienced executives in the European defence and space industry." He highlighted that her leadership will help expand Schaeffler's defence and space business, which the company sees as a key growth field.
STech Defence GmbH was established in late 2025 as an independent subsidiary of Schaeffler AG, based in Munich. The company aims to become a preferred partner to defence and space industries in Germany and Europe, leveraging Schaeffler's existing capabilities in product development, manufacturing, and industrialization to deliver innovative solutions.
Pelaz's career includes stints at EADS and Airbus Defence & Space, where she held roles in operations, sales, and project management. She later led the carve-out of defence electronics activities that became Hensoldt AG, where she served as Chief Strategy Officer and later COO. Pelaz holds a degree in technical engineering from Spain and possesses both Spanish and German citizenship.
Manfred Homm serves as CTO of STech Defence GmbH, while Dr. Christopher Koth acts as interim CFO. The subsidiary will focus on the defence and New Space sectors, which are among Schaeffler's new growth areas. The company aims to generate 10% of its revenue from such new fields by 2035, including humanoid robotics and defence and space.
The appointment underscores Schaeffler's commitment to diversifying beyond its core automotive and industrial businesses. As a Motion Technology Company, Schaeffler believes it is uniquely positioned to achieve significant growth in these sectors. The defence and New Space markets are expanding, driven by geopolitical tensions and increased investment in space-based technologies.
Pelaz's experience at Spire Global, a firm providing satellite data and analytics, is expected to be particularly valuable as STech Defence develops products for the New Space economy. Her background in strategy and operations at Hensoldt, a defence electronics company, also aligns with the subsidiary's focus on defence solutions.
Schaeffler AG, based in Herzogenaurach, Germany, employs around 110,000 people across 55 countries. The company has a long history of innovation in motion technology, including bearings and linear systems. With this move, Schaeffler aims to leverage its engineering expertise to capture opportunities in defence and space, areas that are becoming increasingly important for national security and commercial applications.
