Helsing
Helsing is a Munich-based AI defense technology company founded in 2021 that develops autonomous combat aircraft, strike drones, maritime autonomous systems, and AI command-and-control software for European governments, NATO allies, and Gulf state defense forces.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersMunich, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Helsing does
Helsing is a Munich-based AI defense technology company founded in 2021 by former Palantir and Google engineers, headquartered in Munich with offices in Berlin, Plymouth (UK), and manufacturing operations in Bavaria via the Grob Aircraft subsidiary. The company designs and builds AI-enabled autonomous systems across all defense domains (air, land, sea, cyber, and space), with a portfolio that includes the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft family (with kinetic attack and electronic warfare variants), the HX-2 AI-powered loitering munition, SG-1 + LURA underwater autonomous mass systems, Altra reconnaissance-strike command-and-control software, the Centaur autonomous AI agent, and the Cirra electronic warfare AI module. The company also co-owns the KIRK space-based ISR joint venture with OHB, Kongsberg, and HENSOLDT. Its core technology centers on proprietary AI models trained on battlefield data, integrated with sensor packages from partners such as HENSOLDT (via the MDOcore backbone) and Mistral AI (for Vision-Language-Action models).
The business model is anchored in direct government defense procurement, with revenue derived from a mix of hardware sales (drones, combat aircraft, underwater vehicles), software licensing for AI command-and-control platforms, and multi-year framework contracts subject to parliamentary approval. Primary customers are European government defense ministries, with the German Bundeswehr as the largest anchor (€540M initial loitering munition contract, up to €4.3B total framework potential), the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a battle-validated operational customer, and Gulf state defense forces as an emerging segment for counter-drone technology. Go-to-market is primarily enterprise field sales through defense ministries, supplemented by event-driven presence at major defense exhibitions (ILA Berlin, Singapore Airshow, Munich Security Conference), direct military deployment, and distribution through defense prime partnerships (Saab, HENSOLDT, OHB, Kongsberg). Pricing is not publicly disclosed but contract values range from hundreds of millions to multi-billion-euro frameworks, with cumulative funding exceeding €2 billion across multiple rounds culminating in a reported $1.2B round at an $18 billion valuation in mid-2026.
Helsing firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Helsing
- Legal name
- Helsing GmbH
- Website
- https://helsing.ai
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Helsing is a Munich-based AI defense technology company founded in 2021 that develops autonomous combat aircraft, strike drones, maritime autonomous systems, and AI command-and-control software for European governments, NATO allies, and Gulf state defense forces.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Helsing industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Defense Technology
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T) (IMABAOAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC), Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV) & Autonomous Maritime Surface Platforms (IMABAIAE), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)
Keywords
Where Helsing is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Munich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Helsing business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Defense Contracts: Direct procurement contracts with European governments for AI-enabled defense systems, drones, and autonomous platforms. Revenue derived from initial contract awards with options for expansion, typically through parliamentary approval processes.
- AI Software Platforms: Software licensing and integration services for defense platforms, including AI-enabled command-and-control systems, electronic warfare capabilities, and autonomous flight control software.
- Electronic Warfare Capabilities: Provision of electronic warfare systems and capabilities for military platforms including Eurofighter aircraft and autonomous combat aircraft.
- Drone Systems: Sale of autonomous drone systems including loitering munitions, strike drones, and combat aircraft platforms to government military customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | German Military Drone Contract - Initial Orders |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Defense Technology Systems |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Helsing product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Helsing develops and manufactures AI-enabled autonomous defense systems across air, land, sea, cyber, and space domains. Core offerings include the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft family, HX-2 AI-powered strike drones, SG-1 + LURA underwater autonomous systems, and software platforms such as Altra (command-and-control), Centaur (autonomous AI agent), and Cirra (electronic warfare AI). The company designs and builds new types of autonomous systems and partners with governments and defense primes to connect existing hardware into an AI-enabled network.
Product overview
Helsing is a new type of defence company providing AI-enabled precision mass and autonomous systems across all domains (air, land, sea, cyber). The portfolio includes CA-1 Europa, an autonomous combat aircraft family with kinetic (CA-1KA) and electronic attack (CA-1EA) variants; HX-2, an AI-powered loitering munition strike drone; SG-1 + LURA, an underwater autonomous mass system; Altra, a recce-strike command-and-control platform; Centaur, an autonomous AI agent; and Cirra, an AI electronic warfare module. The company designs and builds new types of autonomous systems and partners with governments and industry to connect existing hardware into a new AI-enabled network. Resilience Factories denotes the company's mass manufacturing initiative. Key partnerships include Hensoldt (sensor integration via MDOcore on CA-1 Europa) and the KIRK joint venture with OHB for space-based ISR.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CA-1 Europa: Autonomous air dominance combat aircraft platform
- HX-2
- CA-1EA
- CA-1KA
- SG-1 + LURA
- Altra
- Centaur
- Cirra
- HF-1
- KIRK
Products and services
- CA-1 Europa Autonomous combat aircraft family designed for air dominance missions. Shares common architecture, airframe, propulsion, and autonomy software across kinetic attack (CA-1KA) and electronic attack (CA-1EA) variants. First operational capability targeted for 2029. Developed and manufactured by Helsing's Grob Aircraft subsidiary in Bavaria.
- HX-2 AI-powered loitering munition / kamikaze strike drone designed for precision strikes against high-value targets. Deployed in Ukraine and selected for German Bundeswehr procurement. Completes full kill chain from detection to strike in under a minute.
- SG-1 + LURA Underwater autonomous mass system combining SG-1 unmanned underwater vehicles with LURA command and control software for maritime defense operations. Provides sovereign European undersea autonomous capabilities.
- Altra Recce-strike command-and-control software platform that integrates various battlefield data sources into a unified operational picture using AI. Aggregates sensor data, coordinates assets, and streamlines mission workflows for military units across multiple domains.
- Centaur Autonomous AI agent designed to operate alongside the CA-1 Europa for air dominance missions. Powers autonomous decision-making in multi-domain operations with limited human intervention, integrated with HENSOLDT's MDOcore for sensor data fusion.
- Cirra AI-powered electronic warfare system designed to disrupt and degrade enemy sensors and surveillance networks, creating safer flight corridors for friendly assets. Integrated as part of the CA-1 Europa family.
Quantifiable outcome
- Kill chain execution from detection to strike in under a minute with AI-enabled targeting systems
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Helsing
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Helsing technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability8 records
Feature9 records
Helsing partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- EURENCOmajorPartnership to deliver a sovereign European strike drone capability; announced June 2026 as part of efforts to build independent European defense manufacturing.
- OHBcoreJoint venture called 'KIRK' (Künstliche Intelligenz und Raumfahrt-Kompetenz) to develop space-based tactical surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting system; builds on December 2025 agreement with expanded consortium including Kongsberg and HENSOLDT.
- Technology and Growth Alliance (TAG Alliance)minorHelsing joined TAG Alliance alongside BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Thales; initiative aims to spin out 20 dual-use defence tech startups per year from UK Ministry of Defence commercialization company Ploughshare.
- SchaefflerminorStrategic partnership announced with German automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler; part of broader trend of traditional manufacturers entering defense sector.
- HENSOLDTcoreStrategic partnership to jointly develop AI-enabled CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft; integrates HENSOLDT's advanced sensor technologies including radar, optronics, self-protection, and electromagnetic warfare systems with Helsing's AI via MDOcore software backbone.
- Grob AircraftcoreHelsing announced acquisition of aircraft manufacturer Grob Aircraft from H3 Aerospace (subject to regulatory approvals); combination leverages complementary competencies in hardware, software, and AI solutions for future air combat.
- Kongsberg Defence & AerospacemajorGerman-Norwegian partnership to build large constellation of small satellites for space-based intelligence, surveillance, and targeting by 2029; Kongsberg provides satellites and ground segment through KSAT subsidiary while Helsing contributes AI software.
- Mistral AImajorStrategic partnership to develop Vision-Language-Action models for defense platforms; announced February 2025, combining Mistral's AI capabilities with Helsing's defense systems.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Helsing competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Anduril Industries: US-based AI-enabled defense tech company building autonomous systems (Lattice OS, drones, cruise missiles) for Western militaries. Closest direct peer to Helsing in mission, product mix (autonomous aircraft, loitering munitions, C2 software), and software-first go-to-market.
- Shield AI: AI defense company known for autonomous drones (V-BAT) and Hivemind autonomy stack. Competes head-to-head for autonomous combat aircraft and autonomy software contracts across NATO customers.
- AeroVironment: Manufacturer of Switchblade loitering munitions and tactical UAS, the direct functional analog of Helsing's HX-2 and HF-1. Shares Helsing's strike-drone go-to-market with US/allied militaries, including Ukraine deployments.
- Palantir Technologies: Defense AI/data analytics prime whose founders seeded Helsing. Overlaps with Altra-style C2 software and AI-enabled defense decision support sold to Western governments, especially in the TITAN/AIP programs.
Broad incumbents
- Rheinmetall: Germany's largest defense prime, supplying vehicles, weapons and ammunition to the Bundeswehr. A natural partner/prime competitor for HX-2 integration into German formations and for CA-1 platform-level air combat programs.
- Saab: Swedish defense and aerospace prime and a strategic investor in Helsing. Competes/collaborates across electronic warfare, surveillance, sensors, and command systems — direct overlap with Cirra and Altra capabilities.
- BAE Systems: UK-headquartered global defense prime in air, maritime, land and electronic systems. Competes in combat air and autonomous platforms via Tempest/FCAS-adjacent programs and is also a Helsing partner via the TAG Alliance.
- Thales: European defense prime across aerospace, space, and electronic warfare. Co-member with Helsing in the TAG Alliance and a partner in MDOcore-adjacent sensor and electronic warfare domains.
Emerging players
- Skydio: US autonomous drone maker expanding from commercial into defense and security/reconnaissance. Adjacent peer in AI-enabled autonomous flight stacks relevant to Helsing's broader autonomy business outside strike.
Regional players
- Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics and autonomous systems vendor (UAS, EW, C2). Comparable in loitering munition and EW products (Cirra/HX-2) but serving Israeli-aligned customers, with limited overlap in Continental European procurement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Helsing social profiles
Digital presenceHelsing financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Helsing leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Helsing subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Helsing funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors16 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Helsing M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Helsing
What does Helsing do?
Helsing develops and manufactures AI-enabled autonomous defense systems across air, land, sea, cyber, and space domains. Core offerings include the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft family, HX-2 AI-powered strike drones, SG-1 + LURA underwater autonomous systems, and software platforms such as Altra (command-and-control), Centaur (autonomous AI agent), and Cirra (electronic warfare AI). The company designs and builds new types of autonomous systems and partners with governments and defense primes to connect existing hardware into an AI-enabled network.
Is Helsing a public or private company?
Helsing is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Helsing founded?
Helsing was founded in 2021. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Helsing based?
Helsing is headquartered in Munich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Helsing make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Defense Contracts are the primary driver. The others are AI Software Platforms, electronic Warfare Capabilities and drone Systems.
Who are Helsing's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Anduril Industries, Shield AI, AeroVironment and Palantir Technologies. Broad incumbents are Rheinmetall, Saab, BAE Systems and Thales. Skydio is listed as an emerging player. Elbit Systems is listed as a regional player.
Does Helsing have an API?
No public API is recorded for Helsing.
What industry is Helsing in?
Helsing's product category is Defense Technology. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAOAI, Autonomous Defense Systems (AI/ML, Swarming, MUM-T), with a secondary code of IMABAMAC, Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3721.