Company / Aerial Drones
STARK
Berlin-based defence-tech start-up producing the Virtus loitering munition and related mission software.
Berlin / Munich, GermanyAerial Drones systems
About the company
About STARK
STARK (STARK Defence, legally SKD SE) is a German defence technology company founded in 2024 with headquarters in Berlin and a production facility opened in Munich in 2025. The company was set up by a group of technology entrepreneurs in response to the demand for unmanned effectors created by the war in Ukraine.
Its flagship product is Virtus, an electrically powered vertical take-off loitering munition (one-way effector) with a stated range of about 60 kilometres. It is complemented by the Minerva command-and-control software, the man-portable Gambit effector, the Cascade multi-launch system and the Vanta 6 unmanned surface vessel.
STARK supplies the German Bundeswehr and other NATO members and has raised several hundred million euros of venture funding; it operates in Germany, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Greece and Sweden.
In the news22 stories
Unmanned surface vessel Vanta 24: Stark unveils autonomous warship for the Baltic Sea
With the Vanta 24 unmanned surface vessel, Stark is targeting the Baltic Sea: anti-ship missiles, the Cascade loitering munition and the Minerva software are intended to strengthen the combat power of NATO naval forces. It will be built together with FSG Shipyard.
Laser counter-drone system: Inleap Photonics starts series production of Fastlight Held in Hanover
Inleap Photonics is starting series production of its laser counter-drone system in Hanover. The first turnkey Fastlight Held units go to partner Stark, and the new hall will be officially opened on 30 October.
Unmanned surface vessels with effectors: Stark presents Vanta 12 with Minerva, Cascade and Sea Venom
Unmanned surface vessels for Europe's sea lanes: Stark has unveiled Vanta 12 – twelve metres long, 1,200 nautical miles of range, two tonnes of payload and already tested in a network at the NATO exercise “Repmus”. The platform is to be built in Flensburg.
Unmanned surface vehicles from Flensburg: Stark and Flensburger Shipyard plan Vanta production
A letter of intent is to pave the way: the FSG shipyard could in future build Stark’s unmanned surface vehicles of the Vanta family in larger numbers. Production figures and the timetable are still open.
Counter-UAS laser: Inleap Photonics raises 20 million euros for series production
UVC Partners leads the seed round, joined by four further investors from Germany, Poland, Estonia and Denmark. Inleap Photonics plans to use the money to build its counter-UAS laser effectors in larger numbers and to expand in Europe.
USV “Seetaube”: Bundeswehr takes over its first autonomous surface vehicle from Stark
Six metres long and built on the Vanta platform: with the USV “Seetaube”, the Bundeswehr is testing maritime reconnaissance. Training of the operating personnel and further trials at sea will follow in the coming months.
Unmanned systems: Stark raises 500 million euros in funding round
500 million euros are flowing to Stark: investors such as Sequoia Capital, Founders Fund and the NATO Innovation Fund are financing research and production with which the company aims to bring unmanned systems in Europe to several thousand units per month.
Loitering munition from Stark: Cascade for long ranges, Gambit for close range
Stark is launching two loitering munition variants at once: a tube- and canister-launched system with a range of up to 100 kilometres and a portable 6-kilogram quadcopter. Both are linked to the Minerva mission management software.
AI drone Virtus: the decision remains in human hands
The German defence tech start-up Stark Defence develops AI-supported loitering munitions. Martin Rudolph, Director Business Development, talks about the AI drone Virtus, lessons from Ukraine and the role of humans on the battlefield of the future.
Counter-drone laser on a UGV: Inleap Photonics shows mobile Fastlight Shield in Erding
Laser effector from Inleap Photonics, vehicle from Hentschel System, software from Stark: the mobile counter-drone system premiered with the Bundeswehr in Erding – in step with a product review for mobile C-UAS systems from 2027.
DroneVation & Defence 2026: podcast episode with voices from the military, industry and authorities
1,200 visitors, around 80 exhibitors, more than 50 speakers: a podcast episode goes behind the scenes of DroneVation & Defence 2026 in Vienna and gives experts on counter-UAS and critical infrastructure a voice.
Drone swarm with AI: Stark brings Virtus and Minerva to Bundeswehr exercise
Reconnaissance drones, command software and loitering munitions in one network: Stark took part with Virtus and Minerva in further Bundeswehr tests of the AI-supported drone swarm. An operational capability is to be in place by 2027.
Laser counter-drone defence: Inleap Photonics and Stark enter a strategic partnership
At Hannover Messe 2026, the start-up Inleap Photonics and loitering munition manufacturer Stark announced their cooperation. Inleap Fastlight Shield is to be integrated into Stark’s unmanned systems; joint counter-drone solutions are planned in the long term.
Unmanned systems combined: Six Robotics and Stark agree recce-strike partnership
Norwegian swarm software meets Stark's loitering munition: under a memorandum of understanding, unmanned systems from both companies are to carry out recce-strike missions together. A first integration phase has already been tested.
Drone trade fair in Vienna: “DroneVation & Defence” returns for its second edition on 21 May
After 49 exhibitors and around 700 trade visitors at the premiere, organiser Militär Aktuell expects more exhibitors and almost twice as many sponsors for the second “DroneVation & Defence” drone trade fair. The programme expands to two stages.
R&D hub in Ukraine: Stark also announces a southern European office at the Munich Security Conference
Two expansion steps at once: on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, Stark announces an R&D hub in Ukraine with room for more than 200 specialists, as well as an office in southern Europe. Local production capacity is to follow.
Loitering munition: Stark appoints Uwe Horstmann as new CEO
With Uwe Horstmann at the helm, the German loitering munition manufacturer Stark aims to enter a new growth phase – with more production, longer-range systems and international partnerships.
Maritime drones from Stark: Vanta-4 and Vanta-6 mark the company's entry into the maritime domain
Stark has so far stood for loitering munitions; now maritime drones follow. The unmanned boats Vanta-4 and Vanta-6 have already completed missions at NATO exercise “REP(MUS)” in Portugal. They are built together with JD Marine International.
Virtus loitering munition: TDW and Stark jointly develop shaped-charge warheads
A contract signed on 30 July links TDW and Stark: anti-armour warheads for the Virtus loitering munition are to be developed by 2027, and from 2027 thousands of units are to be deliverable at short notice if required.
Drone start-up Pleno goes to Stark: Berlin specialist in autonomous flight control acquired
Navigation software for drones that work without satellite reception: with Berlin drone start-up Pleno, Stark brings in know-how for AI-driven autonomy and swarm behaviour – including for the Virtus platform.
Loitering munition from Stark: One Way Effector-Vertical (OWE-V) comes to market
Vertical take-off, AI-supported and designed for an effective range of 100 kilometres: with the OWE-V, Stark is launching its first loitering munition system. At the same time, the company founded in 2024 has joined the UXS Alliance.
Loitering munition for the Bundeswehr: Helsing and Stark to supply test systems
Test first, then procure at scale: the Bundeswehr plans to trial loitering munitions from at least two suppliers. Under discussion are Helsing with the HX-2 and Stark – two companies with a surprising personal connection.