Cantor Summit Soundbites: Defence engine firing on all cylinders; medical optionality underappreciated

Research evidence excerpt

Cantor Summit Soundbites: Defence engine firing on all cylinders; medical optionality underappreciated

May 26, 2026

Investment view: high-conviction idea, buy on weakness. At 47x EV/

EBIT FY26E, Bittium looks expensive. However, we view this as one of

the highest-quality defence names in Europe, with best-in-class radio

communication devices that are, by our estimate, two to three years

ahead of Thales and L3Harris in terms of technology advantage — a

gap that is widening, not narrowing. The company is only now entering

the monetisation phase of a decade-long R&D cycle, with framework

agreements lasting well into the 2030s and beyond, a capital-light, IP-

driven model (lead times c.3-6 months, eCF), a >20% ROCE trajectory and

meaningful country-win optionality still not reflected in numbers. With

consensus FY26E sales already at the upper end of the €140-155m guidance

range, the near-term set-up is more balanced than earlier this year.

However, we continue to see scope to surprise positively given the historical

pattern of cautious initial guidance. Pragmatically, we recommend keeping

the name firmly on the watchlist and adding on weakness.

Investment Thesis

Pure-play on secure European defence communications. Bittium is one of few European-

certified vendors offering interoperable, end-to-end encrypted radios, mobile devices, and

tactical networks aligned with NATO’s ESSOR standard. As European militaries modernise

and prioritise sovereign, non-US solutions, Bittium is well positioned as a core supplier for

secure frontline and command communications.

Deep certification moat and national integration. Bittium’s locally built, security-

accredited systems are deeply embedded in national defence infrastructures, creating

5-10 year switching costs once deployed.