Helsing is a German startup that specializes in defense technology and is supported by well-known investors, including Daniel Ek, the co-founder of Spotify. The company is ramping up its production of a new type of strike drone called the HX-2, with plans to create 6,000 of these drones. This comes on top of the 4,000 HF-1 strike drones that Germany has financed and are currently being sent to Ukraine.
Gundbert Scherf, one of the co-founders of Helsing, mentioned that they are increasing the production of the HX-2 drones due to more orders from Ukraine. This announcement follows recent discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin about starting talks to end the ongoing war in Ukraine, which raises questions about how much longer the conflict will continue.
Strike drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with weapons, used in military operations. Helsing initially focused on artificial intelligence (AI) software but shifted its focus in 2024 to become a major manufacturer of these military drones. The company now claims to be one of the largest producers of strike drones in the world.
Drones, especially those controlled by human pilots that can fly and crash into targets (known as first-person-view or FPV kamikaze drones), have been crucial for Ukraine in countering Russia’s advantages in numbers and equipment. Even inexpensive FPV drones can perform precise attacks, and many of these drones are produced in Ukraine by various manufacturers. However, Helsing’s drones have the added capability of being able to operate in swarms, which means multiple drones can work together to achieve their objectives.
Despite focusing on drones, Helsing is not solely a hardware company. Instead, it combines hardware with advanced software solutions, including its AI platform called Altra, which connects the drones. Niklas Köhler, another co-founder, emphasized that their focus is on solving complex software challenges rather than just the electronics of the drones. The HX-2 is just the first product in a broader range that the company plans to develop.
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The HX-2 drone, introduced in late 2024, uses AI technology that allows it to locate its targets even if its communication systems are disrupted. This is crucial for kamikaze drones, which are designed to crash into their targets. Helsing aims to keep production costs low while ensuring that they can produce these drones in large quantities.
While the company has not shared specific prices for the HX-2, it claims that its production methods are more cost-effective and scalable compared to competitors like the AeroVironment Switchblade drone, which has advanced sensors.
Unlike the HF-1 drones, which are produced in collaboration with Ukrainian manufacturers, the HX-2 drones will be made in what Helsing calls “Resilience Factories.” These factories will be set up across Europe, allowing the company to utilize local supply chains and labor. This approach is often favored by national defense agencies to ensure that production remains within their borders for security reasons.
Helsing has already started operating its first Resilience Factory in southern Germany, which can produce over 1,000 HX-2 drones per month. This facility is designed to be flexible and can increase its production capacity to tens of thousands of units if needed during a conflict.
The announcement about the HX-2 drones came just before the Munich Security Conference, highlighting southern Germany as a key location for defense initiatives. A recent report indicated that Germany led Europe in funding for defense, resilience, and security in 2024, with Munich being a central hub for these activities.
Helsing has significantly contributed to this funding surge, having raised $487 million in a Series C funding round last year from investors like General Catalyst. To date, the startup has raised approximately $791 million in total. Recently, Helsing announced a strategic partnership with Mistral, a prominent French AI company, during the Paris AI Action Summit. Scherf emphasized the importance of Europe establishing itself as a strong geopolitical player, with leadership in AI being vital for the continent’s future security and economic prosperity.
