Loitering munition for the Bundeswehr: Helsing and Stark to supply test systems

Only a few years ago, hardly anyone would have expected it: the German Bundeswehr plans to procure loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones – a response to the ongoing drone war in Ukraine. According to media reports, systems from at least two suppliers will initially be bought for testing.

First, the troops are to become familiar with the explosive-laden drones. Whether procurement on a large scale follows will then be decided on the basis of feedback from the troops.

Loitering munition from Helsing or Stark

Systems from Helsing and Stark are apparently on the shortlist. The Ministry of Defence did not comment.

Helsing's HX-2 was only unveiled at the end of 2024, but is already in use in Ukraine and is therefore considered “battle-proven”. Stark recently made headlines for two reasons: the presentation of the much larger One Way Effector – Vertical (OWE-V) and an investment by tech billionaire Peter Thiel.

The two companies are connected in an interesting way through their people: Stark was founded around a year ago by Florian Seibel – a former Bundeswehr officer who also founded Quantum Systems.

Officially, the two firms operate independently of each other. The reason for this separation lies in the founding history of Quantum Systems: the company was originally intended for civilian applications. Some of its early investors are therefore contractually bound by a civil clause that rules out investments in defence projects.