Helsing, a Munich-based defence AI company, has raised $1.8 billion in Series E funding at an $18 billion valuation. The round included participation from Dragoneer Investment Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Iconiq, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, and others. Helsing builds AI-enabled autonomous systems spanning air, land, sea, space, and electronic warfare, selling exclusively to democratic governments.
European Defence Tech Draws Record Capital
The timing aligns with surging European defence spending amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Anduril Industries raised $5B Series H at a $61 billion valuation in May 2026. Helsing's approach integrates software-defined AI platforms with hardware manufacturing through acquisitions like Grob Aircraft, addressing Europe's push for technological sovereignty.
Ukraine War Accelerates AI Adoption
Global defence spending reached $2.89 trillion in 2025. The AI in military market is projected to grow from $9.3 billion in 2024 to $19.3 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research. Traditional defence primes struggle with slow procurement cycles and high costs for low-volume platforms, creating openings for AI-native entrants.
AI Platforms Span All Domains
Helsing's products include the HX-2 loitering munition with GPS-denied navigation, the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft, the SG-1 Fathom underwater glider, and the Cirra electronic warfare system. Its Centaur AI pilot system was tested in real-world dogfights aboard a Saab Gripen E fighter jet in June 2025. Unlike US competitors focused on domestic contracts, Helsing prioritizes European sovereignty with manufacturing facilities across the continent.
Mission Capital Signals Sector Conviction
The oversubscribed round attracted traditional financial institutions alongside growth investors. Dragoneer took the largest share. The participation of Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan reflects institutional recognition of defence tech as a durable asset class. Funds will accelerate platform development and expand to additional partner nations.
Defence AI Market Expands Rapidly
The broader AI in aerospace and defence market is forecast to reach $43 billion by 2030. Defence tech equity funding grew 134% year-over-year in 2025. Recent European rounds include Quantum Systems' $1.2 billion raise the week prior. Helsing's valuation trajectory from roughly €5 billion in 2024 to $18 billion now underscores investor appetite for full-stack European champions.
Ex-Game AI Founder Brings Manufacturing Edge
Co-founder Torsten Reil previously founded NaturalMotion, acquired by Zynga for $527 million. The team includes executives from Palantir and Tesla, with recent hires like Dr. Michael Schwekutsch to scale production to over 1,000 HX-2 units per month.
Battle-Proven Systems Fuel Expansion
Helsing has contracted over 10,000 strike drones to Ukraine and secured a €580 million German government contract for combat fighter software. Production facilities in Germany and the UK now incorporate battlefield feedback directly into design iterations.