🛡️ Helsing Builds Europe’s Full-Stack AI Defense Platform

German defense AI startup Helsing has raised €600M (~$694M) in a new round led by Spotify founder Daniel Ek’s Prima Materia, doubling its valuation to $12B as it scales from battlefield AI to autonomous drones, jets, and subs.

🎯 From software to strike drones
• Started with real-time AI for battlefield awareness—now building autonomous weapons platforms
• Products include HF-1 and HX-2 drones, AI-piloted fighter jets, and unmanned subs
• Core tech: “vision-language-action” models that help machines make fast decisions in combat

🚀 Backed by Europe’s biggest names
• Already supplying drones to Ukraine; deals with UK, Germany, Sweden
• Partnerships with Airbus, SAAB, Rheinmetall, and French AI lab Mistral
• Total funding now ~€1.37B, with investors like Lightspeed, Accel, and General Catalyst

⚠️ Full-stack means full complexity
• Rapid hardware push adds execution and regulatory risk
• Emphasizes “human-in-the-loop” control amid growing scrutiny of autonomous weapons

With €600M in fresh backing, Helsing is positioning itself as Europe’s Anduril—full-stack, combat-tested, and ready to define the future of autonomous defense.

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