Top 18 Military startups in Germany

Jul 08, 2026
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1
Quantum Systems
Funding: $2B
Quantum Systems builds AI-powered eVTOL drones for defense, security, and surveying, specializing in aerial intelligence solutions.
2
STARK
Funding: $647.7M
STARK manufactures a bunch of drones for NATO countries. It's flagship drone Virtus is a long-range VTOL loitering munition, which can deliver precision strikes up to 130km in GNSS-denied environments. The company also produces Cascade (a tube-launched, man-portable loitering munition with a range of up to 100km), Gambit (a 6kg man-portable quadcopter designed for ISR and short-range strikes), Vanta (an unmanned surface vessel that comes in 13 and 20-foot variants. It’s primarily designed for ISR, but can be configured for go-boom missions). STARK also develops Minerva - C2 software that helps coordinate unmanned systems across all domains from a single ground station.
3
Tytan
Funding: €45M
Tytan is developing cost effective AI-powered counter-drone interceptor drones that are extensively used in Ukraine war. It offers a range of autonomous interceptors that include a short-range multicopter interceptor developed to counter small drones categorized as NATO Class I unmanned threats and a long-range fixed-wing interceptor designed to neutralize NATO Class II drones. Tytan has built a factory in Germany which is capable of manufacturing 3,000 autonomous interceptors per month
4
Hypersonica
Funding: €23.3M
Hypersonica aims to develop Europe's first sovereign hypersonic strike system by 2029. The company uses a modular design for rapid upgrades and shortens development cycles from years to months, reducing costs by more than 80% compared to traditional approaches. The startup has already conducted the first tests of its hypersonic missile, which reached speeds in excess of Mach 6 and a range of over 300 kilometers.
5
Helsing
Funding: €1.4B
Helsing is a new type of defence AI company. We believe that software, in particular artificial intelligence, will be the key to protecting our democracies. It employs AI and software to enable faster and more accurate decision-making, and the utilisation of data at the tactical, operational, and strategic level.
6
Rheinmetall
Funding: $1.1B
Rheinmetall manufactures battle tanks Panther, Leopard (Rheinmetall produces the Rh-120 tank gun for it), modular armored vehicles Boxer, Lynx KF41 infantry fighting vehicle, Skynex air defense system, unmanned ground vehicles, advanced military surveillance systems.
7
HENSOLDT
Funding: €846M
Hensoldt is a globally leading supplier of premium sensors for security and surveillance missions.
8
Taurus Systems
TAURUS Systems is a manufacturing company that produces stand-off weapon systems, missiles, and bunker products.
9
Eurofighter
Eurofighter develops military aircraft Typhoon - the world's most advanced swing-role combat aircraft offering agile performance, interoperability and unrivalled flexibility.
10
ARX Robotics
Funding: €41.2M
ARX is a defense technology company that specializes in the development of autonomous unmanned systems for dual-use applications.
11
FibreCoat
Funding: $25.3M
FibreCoat produces thermoplastic-coated fibres for composites and aluminium-coated fibres for shielding applications.
12
WARGdrones
Funding: €1.5M
WARGdrones creates automated drone solutions, aided by artificial intelligence, to address complex tasks like explosive ordnance disposal.
13
Deepsafety
Funding: €1M
Deepsafety makes LiDAR sensors, providing the most accurate understanding of the environment for defense.
14
Aaronia
Aaronia is a manufacturing-based company that offers RF and EMF solutions.
15
WORK Microwave
WORK Microwave is a leading manufacturer of RF and Microwave modules up to 40 GHz for demanding defence and research applications.
16
HighCat
HIGHCAT develops & manufactures unmanned aerial systems that provide safe and reliable operation for professional users
17
NeuralAgent
NeuralAgent is advancing the Future Combat Air System Project (FCAS) - an advanced sixth-generation fighter jet with artificial intelligence.
18
Circus Defence
Circus Defence develops modular, AI-driven autonomous infrastructure systems for mission-critical and defence applications, leveraging Circus’ proven robotics technologies to enhance operational efficiency and readiness across European Defence operations. Circus’s core product is the autonomous CA-1 nutrition system and the CircusOS operating system, which runs the company’s robotic kitchens. It's AI-based “smart wagon” can prepare and serve food without any human involvement.
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Editor: Bruce Makowsky
Bruce Makowsky has covered military, cyber and IT news since 2009, with a focus on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, acquisition programs and budgets. In particular he worked for Inside Defense. Bruce holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University. Bruce is also an award-winning photographer, renowned for his captivating images that have earned him numerous accolades and widespread recognition in the photography community. You can contact Bruce at makowsky(at)militarystartups(dot)com