Helsing AI: How this €12 billion‑valued AI startup is revolutionizing Europe’s warfare industry
Europe just witnessed a seismic shift: Helsing, a Munich-based defence-tech startup, just raised €600 million at a staggering €12 billion valuation. But this isn’t just another startup story—it signals Europe's emerging power in AI-powered warfare.
Inside today’s edition: mission-critical breakthroughs, elite research, and a Premium Deep Dive on the ethics and strategic weight of autonomous weapons.
🤖 Breakthroughs & Launches
Helsing Series D: €600 M, €12 B valuation
– Led by Daniel Ek’s Prima Materia, this newest capital injection brings total funding to over €1.36 billion, reaffirming Helsing’s leadership in Europe’s defence AI boom
AI-Piloted Gripen Fighter Jet (Centaur)
– In June 2025, Helsing’s Centaur AI co‑piloted a Saab Gripen E in an operational flight. This was Europe’s first field test of an AI combat system in a fighter jet.
SG‑1 Fathom Underwater Drone Platform
– Introducing long-endurance, stealthy subsurface drones powered by Lura AI, capable of multi-month patrols to secure marine infrastructure.
🧠 Research Radar
“Autonomous Target Engagement Without GPS”
– Fell within adaptation of HX-2 drones: on-board AI uses mapping and vision to reidentify targets, enabling GPS-denied operations.
Why it matters: Enhances battlefield resilience and autonomy.
Ethics & Accountability of Lethal AI in Democracies
– Co-founder Gundbert Scherf emphasized preserving human-in-the-loop in AI warfare during FT’s “Future Weapons” podcast—vital for democratic accountability in remote conflicts.
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🔎 Deep Dive / Premium Insight
Helsing’s leap from software to full-stack military tech—the HX‑2 kamikaze drone, Centaur fighter AI, and underwater Fathom swarm—is more than a product line. It’s a strategic bet on Europe's defense autonomy. But what do these weapons mean for war, oversight, and deterrence?
To access the full breakdown, including implications, analysis, and what happens next — unlock Premium access.