Built for Battle: Haskel Under Pressure in Western Defence

By Lorenzo Grossi, Global Business Development Director – Aerospace & Defence, Haskel

From moonshots to battlefield breakthroughs, Haskel has been quietly powering the systems that define safety, reliability, and performance under pressure. With more than seven decades of innovation in high-pressure technology, our presence in the defence sector is not just about equipment — it's about trust and survivability. As part of the Haskel Legacy Series, this article explores our enduring contribution to western military operations across land, air, sea, and space.

My passion for aerospace and defence began long before I joined the industry. Like many children, I was captivated by aircraft and military technology. That fascination led me to a career dedicated to delivering robust engineering solutions to some of the most demanding defence environments.

Our Legacy

Defence has always demanded the most from engineering. In such high-stakes environments, performance can’t just be good — it has to be perfect. Since our earliest involvement in the Apollo missions, where Haskel technology was used for helium blanketing and fuel system support at the launchpad, we’ve maintained an unwavering commitment to performance and safety.

Today, Haskel products are embedded in some of the world’s most critical defence programs. From the F-35 fighter jet and the JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle), to advanced naval and space-based systems, Haskel’s legacy of trust continues to grow.

Our Role in Modern Military

Land: Supporting Heavy Armour and Precision Fire
On the ground, Haskel supports a wide range of systems that directly contribute to operational readiness and survivability. Our technologies are used in military vehicle suspension systems, braking mechanisms, and artillery recoil damping. These are not ancillary features — they’re mission-critical. For example, Haskel supplies systems for JLTVs, the modern successor to the Humvee, with over 20,000 vehicles.

Air: Sustaining Life at Altitude
In the skies, our role is equally vital. Military pilots operating at high altitudes without pressurized cabins rely on oxygen systems recharged using Haskel gas boosters. We’ve delivered more than 1,000 systems for the F-35 program and continue to supply platforms such as the F-16, EFA  2000, Gripen, ensuring pilots remain mission-ready.

We also supply high-pressure gas booster carts and portable case systems used on airbases for rapid oxygen recharge, ensuring mission readiness even in remote environments also to SOF with HAHO and HALO needs.

Sea: Enhancing Naval Operations from Surface to Subsea
At sea, where the environment is as hostile as it is unpredictable, Haskel plays a critical role in enhancing naval operations, from submarines to surface vessels. Our high-pressure gas boosters are used to fill flasks for naval divers and special forces, including those undergoing training with NEDU (Naval Experimental Diving Unit) across the US. We provide the systems that inflate emergency buoyancy devices, launch torpedoes using nitrogen pressurization, and support hydrogen-based fuel cells for submarine backup power. In minesweeping operations, where magnetic neutrality is essential to avoid triggering underwater mines, Haskel supplies amagnetic compression equipment built for safety and discretion. Our offering also includes BuTech subsea valves, pressure-tested to withstand ocean depths of up to 14,000 feet and built to operate flawlessly for over two decades. Whether on deck or beneath the surface, Haskel’s technology ensures mission readiness under the most extreme maritime conditions.

Space: Defence Beyond Earth
Our defence expertise extends beyond the Earth. Haskel compressors were involved in the early stages of the U.S. space race and remain in use today with some of the leading space organizations. While, we can’t always name names; our products are part of the systems that support human spaceflight safety and recovery.

When Safety is Non-Negotiable

The stakes in defence are higher than ever. Compressing gases like oxygen or hydrogen is no trivial matter — small failures can have catastrophic consequences. Haskel’s ISO5 cleanroom facilities are among the most advanced in the industry, ensuring every unit is built to the highest safety standards. When working with pure oxygen, even a speck of grease can result in an explosion.

As I often hear from customers: “It’s a Haskel” has become shorthand for quality and trust. That’s the legacy we’ve built.

Haskel's defence portfolio includes:

• Air-driven Gas Boosters: Operate up to 39,000 psi, ideal for high-pressure gas transference and charging.
• Air-Driven Liquid Pumps: Reliable way to test generation and maintenance of medium to high pressure
• Hydraulic Driven Gas Boosters (H-Drive): Robust units for continuous heavy-duty use.
• Air-driven Oxygen Boosters: Safe, precise oxygen compression up to 5,000 psi.
• Electric Servo Driven Gas Boosters: Real-time control and feedback, ideal for aerospace and naval systems.
• High-Pressure Valves (BuTech): Rated to 150,000 psi, used across air, land, sea, and space.
• Portable Gas Charging Units: Lightweight, rugged kits for field use.
• BuTech Subsea Valves: Designed for deep-sea durability in naval operations

The Road Ahead

Global demand for defence capabilities is rising, and so is the pressure to do more with less. While cost will always be a consideration, those who have experienced Haskel understand the value of reliability in mission-critical operations.

Whether it's refuelling a fighter jet, cushioning the recoil of artillery, or supporting the  safe return of astronauts, Haskel’s legacy in defence is clear: when the pressure is on, trust matters.