Helsing vs Stark Defence: Defense & security compared

November 2026 edition · assessment by Frontier Tech Intelligence

Stark Defence ranks 84 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 79; Helsing ranks 86 with 79. The eight measures are level. Helsing is based in Munich, Germany, Stark Defence in Berlin, Germany. Helsing is named in 36 signals and Stark Defence in 2.

Helsing →

Munich, Bavaria, Germany · Robotics · Systems / Defense & security · helsing.ai

Helsing develops and deploys autonomous defense systems, including HX-2 loitering munitions and HF-1 aerial drones, and has delivered AI-enabled reconnaissance and strike capabilities to armed forces.

Robotics 100 · rank 86 · score 79AI Core · watchlist · score 46Space · watchlist · score 40

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment6
Production6
Commercials6
Progress10
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower10
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Helsing is a German defense-AI and systems company producing the HX-2 strike drone, with the CA-1 Europa aircraft targeting a 2027 first flight. It raised a $1.8B Series E in July 2026 at an $18B valuation (about $4.4B raised cumulatively, Europe's largest defense startup), holds a Bundestag HX-2 contract, and acquired Keybotic and a Lura underwater platform; a German MoD briefing reporting 5-of-14 target hits in Donbas is contested by the company, which cites Russian electronic warfare. Revenue is undisclosed and HX-2 field performance is disputed.

Latest signals

  • Helsing unveiled Contra, an AI-controlled air defense system for countering drone swarms.Interesting Engineering
  • Helsing unveiled the Contra AI air-defense system and radar-guided interceptor missiles for countering drones.Golem
  • Helsing introduced the AD-1 Inferno and AD-2 Ambush interceptor missiles.EU-Startups

36 signals name Helsing.

Facts, with sources

  • [object Object]OHB
  • Joint venture KIRK with OHB and Rheinmetall to develop a space-based tactical surveillance systemOHB
  • Series E at an $18 billion valuationThe AI Insider

24 facts on file.

Stark Defence →

Berlin, Berlin, Germany · Robotics · Systems / Defense & security · stark-defence.com

Stark Defence supplies counter-UAS systems against autonomous and remotely operated aerial threats, including through a partnership with INLEAP Photonics for German defense.

Robotics 100 · rank 84 · score 79

Scores, Robotics (of 10)

Deployment6
Production6
Commercials6
Progress10
Technology8
Positioning8
Firepower10
Leverage8

Darker bar: ahead of the other company on that measure.

Positioning

Stark Defence is a German maker of the Virtus loitering munition (a 10-minute assembly, deployed in Ukraine) with production in Germany, Ukraine, Sweden, Greece, and a UK plant opened in 2025. It raised a EUR 500M round in June 2026 at a >EUR 3.5B valuation (Sequoia and Founders Fund lead, EUR 660M+ total) and won initial Bundeswehr contracts (~EUR 269M, February 2026) under a framework up to EUR 1B. Revenue is estimated at 10-100m (not disclosed).

Latest signals

  • INLEAP Photonics entered a strategic partnership with STARK Defence for German counter-UAS systems.EU-Startups
  • Stark Defence raised €500 million in late June.Maddyness

2 signals name Stark Defence.

Facts, with sources

  • [object Object]EU-Startups
  • Strategic partnership with INLEAP Photonics for German counter-UAS systemsEU-Startups
  • EUR 500000000Maddyness

4 facts on file.

More comparisons

Questions this page answers

Helsing or Stark Defence: which is ahead in robotics?

Stark Defence ranks 84 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 79; Helsing ranks 86 with 79. The eight measures are level. Helsing is based in Munich, Germany, Stark Defence in Berlin, Germany. Helsing is named in 36 signals and Stark Defence in 2.

How do Helsing and Stark Defence compare?

Stark Defence ranks 84 on the Robotics 100 with a score of 79; Helsing ranks 86 with 79. The eight measures are level. Helsing is based in Munich, Germany, Stark Defence in Berlin, Germany. Helsing is named in 36 signals and Stark Defence in 2. Both company files carry the scores on eight measures, the facts with sources and the latest signals.

Every comparison here comes from the same files members use every day.

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