Building bridges: Michael Böhm on leadership, collaboration and Galleon’s future
November 17, 2025
From the German Air Force to leading Galleon’s Munich operations, Michael Böhm brings two decades of international defense experience and a clear vision for collaboration across Spectra Defense Technologies.
When Michael Böhm joined Galleon as VP Site Lead at the Munich office, he brought two decades of experience managing complex international defense programs across some of Europe’s most respected organizations. From his early days working on the Eurofighter Typhoon during its introduction phase to coordinating multinational initiatives at NATO, Michael has built a career on solving problems that matter, and doing it through collaboration, not ego.
We sat down with Michael to talk about his path from the German Air Force to Spectra Defense Technologies, what he’s learned about building consensus across borders and cultures, and what excites him about Galleon’s role in the future of defense.
Your path to Galleon started with 20 years in the German Air Force. What drew you to military service, and what did those years teach you?
When I finished school in 2000, I decided to join the German Air Force as an officer candidate because the values resonated with me — integrity, accountability and teamwork. As a technical officer working on programs like the Eurofighter, I learned to trust your team, lead by example, be reliable and keep your word. I learned to encourage and challenge people so they can grow.
I also learned that problems need to be solved in a solution-oriented way. Long discussions don’t help anybody. And before you escalate a problem, think through potential solutions on your own first.
You’ve worked across KNDS, Airbus, Leonardo and NATO. What connected those experiences?
The common thread has been working at the intersection of technology, strategy and international collaboration to strengthen European defense capabilities. Each organization approached that mission from a different angle, but the underlying challenge was always about developing or integrating complex systems to satisfy customer needs.
At KNDS, I focused on training solutions to get customers’ staff mission-ready on different weapon systems. At Airbus and Leonardo, I worked on aerospace systems, harmonizing technology and processes across multinational teams. Later, as bid manager for the European MALE RPAS program, the challenge was aligning the diverse interests of nations and industry partners within budget.
At NATO, I saw the broader strategic picture — how interoperability, capability development and political coordination come together to maintain collective defense readiness.
The thread connecting all these experiences is bridging strategic, industrial and technological divides to make Europe’s defense ecosystem more cohesive and mission ready.
What made you decide to join Galleon and Spectra Defense Technologies?
I’m looking to move from coordination and policy-level work to a more hands-on, impact-driven environment where I can help translate strategy into tangible capabilities. I see Galleon and Spectra Defense Technologies as the right place to do that — a company that’s agile enough to innovate and strategic enough to shape the future of defense in the U.S. and Europe.
What’s one lesson you learned working on international defense projects?
Even the best technical solution can fail if the key stakeholders aren’t fully aligned. Early in my career, I underestimated how much time and energy it takes to build true consensus across nations, ministries and industrial partners.
Now I make alignment a core part of every project from day one, ensuring that everyone understands not only what we’re building but why it matters to them. It’s slower at first, but it saves enormous time later.
How does that lesson apply to what’s happening now at Spectra as Galleon integrates with Calculex and Argon?
It’s the same principle. We have different companies in different locations with different cultures. The biggest challenge is to come together, have regular exchange and become one company so that I know immediately who I need to call if there’s a problem or if I need input for a proposal.
If we think about system solutions — collecting data, processing data, displaying data — we have a broader portfolio. That means more possibilities to get into new projects and offer better systems to customers.
What will you be focusing on in your role as VP Site Lead?
My focus will be on running the daily business and fostering sustainable growth by adapting our internal resources and structures to external market conditions. I’ll also focus on Galleon becoming an integral part of Spectra Defense Technologies. As one known international company, we’ll be able to provide the solutions our customers need.
How does your background prepare you for delivering mission-critical systems?
My background has always been about delivering systems that people depend on when there’s no margin for error. Whether coordinating multinational defense programs or integrating advanced technologies into operational environments, I’ve learned how to manage complexity, mitigate risks and keep reliability at the center of every decision. That’s the kind of rigor your customers count on.
My educational background focused on building a general understanding in several business-related areas. I hold a master’s in computer science, a post-graduate master’s in commercial law and a diploma in business administration. I also specialized in project management and hold a PMP. This solid educational baseline helped me support military programs from an early stage — and it will certainly help me with my new position with Spectra.
How do you drive efficiency improvements without compromising quality or mission readiness?
You have to treat efficiency and quality as two sides of the same coin. I use lean and systems engineering principles to streamline processes — eliminating redundant reviews or automating data validation — but every change is validated against mission requirements and risk assessments. The goal is to reduce waste, not rigor.
When someone pushes back, I think it’s all about communication. You have to really listen to people, not say “you’re wrong and I’m your boss.” You should understand their point of view and then have good arguments to convince them that it’s worth trying your approach.
You mentioned the importance of mentoring younger professionals. What challenges do you see them facing?
The younger generation is looking for meaning behind the job. They want to know why they’re working for a company and why they do this specific job.
It’s also no longer obligatory to serve in the military in Germany, so young people don’t automatically know the customer. You need to make them aware that the military industry is special.
But younger people have different thinking. They question processes. They know new tools on the market. And it’s nice to see how they develop over time.
What excites you most about working with the Galleon and Spectra team?
During the interview process, I saw the high level of professionalism within the entire team. I was particularly impressed by the swift decision-making, the clear articulation of values and goals, and the transparent communication. I also had the opportunity to get to know the team, which further reinforced my positive first impression.
What’s one goal you have for your first year?
My goal is to quickly gain a deep understanding of the company’s ongoing projects and customer priorities, then identify opportunities to improve efficiency and collaboration across teams. By the end of the year, I aim to have established trusted relationships across the company, full order books and a well-running business unit.
When you’re not solving complex defense challenges, what do you do to recharge?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends — I have a wife and two kids here in the Munich area. I stay active through hiking or cycling, and I like exploring new places and cultures. Taking this time to disconnect helps me recharge and return to work with renewed energy.