Helsing (company)

Lore & Background

Helsing was founded in March 2021 originally as an artificial intelligence software company by Torsten Reil, a computational biologist educated at the University of Oxford who previously founded NaturalMotion; Gundbert Scherf, who previously worked in the German Ministry of Defence; and Niklas Köhler, a machine learning engineer. Their software uses AI to analyse large amounts of sensor and weapons system data, providing real-time battlefield insights. Later, Helsing started designing and manufacturing its own drones, announcing the HX-2 drones in December 2024. The company has established subsidiaries in Estonia, France, and the United Kingdom. According to Reil, part of the motivation for starting the company was Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. The company pledges to only sell to democratic governments. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, Helsing established partnerships with Rheinmetall in September 2022 and Saab in September 2023 to integrate its AI into their existing weapons systems. The partnership with Rheinmetall fell through in 2024, the company instead partnered with Helsing's competitor, Auterion. In 2024, Helsing secured a contract to build AI infrastructure for the Future Combat Air System and partnered with Airbus to develop Wingman's AI system. Its AI has been integrated into the Eurofighter Typhoon EK's onboard system and the radar system of Saab JAS 39 Gripen. In May and June 2025, Helsing conducted a combat trial known as 'Project Beyond,' testing its AI agent, Centaur, in a real-world dogfight scenario—considered the first publicly known instance of AI piloting a fully operational fighter jet. The outcome was inconclusive regarding performance superiority, though the company has claimed that in simulated dogfights, its AI fares better. In 2025, Helsing announced a collaboration with Mistral AI to create 'vision-language-action' AI models for its defence platform, and partnered with French satellite startup Loft Orbital to deploy Europe's first AI-powered multi-sensor satellite constellation for defence. The company established an incubator division called Area 9 in January 2025 to focus on 'moonshot' projects. In early 2025, while 4,000 Germany-funded HF-1 strike drones were being delivered to Ukraine, Helsing agreed to provide a further 6,000 HX-2 strike drones.

Reader's Guide

Helsing's significance lies in its rapid rise as a European defence AI powerhouse, developing both software and hardware for military applications. The company's AI-driven loitering munition drones, HF-1 and HX-2, have been deployed in Ukraine, with thousands supplied under German funding. Its Centaur AI agent, tested in a real-world dogfight with a Gripen fighter jet, marks a milestone in autonomous aerial combat. Helsing's partnerships with major defence contractors like Saab and Airbus, and its involvement in the Future Combat Air System, position it as a key player in European defence modernisation. The company's acquisition of Grob Aircraft and Blue Ocean expands its capabilities into manned aircraft manufacturing and autonomous underwater vehicles. However, the company has faced scrutiny over allegations of overpriced drones and glitchy software, as reported by Bloomberg News in April 2025, raising questions about its technology's reliability. Despite this, the German government's reported intention to award a €580 million contract in 2026 underscores its strategic importance. Helsing's commitment to selling only to democratic governments and its focus on AI for battlefield decision-making reflect its role in shaping the future of European defence technology.

Did You Know?

• The company's HX-2 drone has a top speed of 250 km/h and a range of 100 km.
• In May and June 2025, Helsing's AI agent Centaur piloted a Gripen E in the first publicly known AI dogfight against a human-operated Gripen D.
• Helsing's total capital raised reached €1.37 billion by June 2025, with a valuation of $18 billion in July 2026.