Top 18 Military startups in Germany
Jul 21, 2026
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28
1
Funding: $3.3B
Helsing develops hardware and software platform for defense. It makes drones and underwater surveillance weapons and builds artificial intelligence and autonomous software to power these military applications. Its HX-2 small AI strike drones are being supplied to the Ukrainian army. Its large UAV CA-1 Europa is an autonomous fighter jet in the three-to-five ton class is combining the Centaur AI software and mission stack with Grob's proven capability in aircraft design and manufacturing. And its underwater autonomous drone SG-1 + Lura is capable of discreetly patrolling in a swarm or holding position on the seabed, the glider operates at depth and throughout the water column.
Helsing develops hardware and software platform for defense. It makes drones and underwater surveillance weapons and builds artificial intelligence and autonomous software to power these military applications. Its HX-2 small AI strike drones are being supplied to the Ukrainian army. Its large UAV CA-1 Europa is an autonomous fighter jet in the three-to-five ton class is combining the Centaur AI software and mission stack with Grob's proven capability in aircraft design and manufacturing. And its underwater autonomous drone SG-1 + Lura is capable of discreetly patrolling in a swarm or holding position on the seabed, the glider operates at depth and throughout the water column.
2
Funding: $2B
Quantum Systems builds AI-powered eVTOL drones for defense, security, and surveying, specializing in aerial intelligence solutions.
Quantum Systems builds AI-powered eVTOL drones for defense, security, and surveying, specializing in aerial intelligence solutions.
3
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.
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.
4
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
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
5
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.
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.
6
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.
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
Funding: €846M
Hensoldt is a globally leading supplier of premium sensors for security and surveillance missions.
Hensoldt is a globally leading supplier of premium sensors for security and surveillance missions.
8
TAURUS Systems is a manufacturing company that produces stand-off weapon systems, missiles, and bunker products.
9
Eurofighter develops military aircraft Typhoon - the world's most advanced swing-role combat aircraft offering agile performance, interoperability and unrivalled flexibility.
10
Funding: €41.2M
ARX is a defense technology company that specializes in the development of autonomous unmanned systems for dual-use applications.
ARX is a defense technology company that specializes in the development of autonomous unmanned systems for dual-use applications.
11
Funding: $25.3M
FibreCoat produces thermoplastic-coated fibres for composites and aluminium-coated fibres for shielding applications.
FibreCoat produces thermoplastic-coated fibres for composites and aluminium-coated fibres for shielding applications.
12
Funding: €1.5M
WARGdrones creates automated drone solutions, aided by artificial intelligence, to address complex tasks like explosive ordnance disposal.
WARGdrones creates automated drone solutions, aided by artificial intelligence, to address complex tasks like explosive ordnance disposal.
13
Funding: €1M
Deepsafety makes LiDAR sensors, providing the most accurate understanding of the environment for defense.
Deepsafety makes LiDAR sensors, providing the most accurate understanding of the environment for defense.
15
WORK Microwave is a leading manufacturer of RF and Microwave modules up to 40 GHz for demanding defence and research applications.
16
HIGHCAT develops & manufactures unmanned aerial systems that provide safe and reliable operation for professional users
17
NeuralAgent is advancing the Future Combat Air System Project (FCAS) - an advanced sixth-generation fighter jet with artificial intelligence.
18
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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