AI Defense Startup Helsing Draws Fire for Tech and Tactics
Europe’s biggest defense tech company is facing allegations of overpriced drones and glitchy software. The firm stands by its products.
Helsing representatives with French Minister of Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu at the AI Action Summit in Paris, on Feb. 10.
Photographer: Benoît Durand/Hans Lucas/Redux
The defense company Helsing was created for this moment. Three German entrepreneurs formed the business in 2021 with the belief that modern warfare demanded modern technology — and that Europe, despite growing security threats, had no credible firm to build it.
Today, as EU leaders prepare to commit record amounts to rearmament, Helsing is Europe’s most valuable defense tech startup. With deep pockets and close ties to Germany’s military, the Munich-founded company is, at least on paper, optimally positioned to benefit from the coming spending spree.