Defence companies in Germany

Builds loitering munitions, unmanned surface vessels and multi-domain C2 software for NATO militaries, with systems already deployed in Ukraine.

Virtus

Flagship VTOL loitering munition for mass precision effects. Virtus is designed for rapid launch from austere terrain, carries a modular payload of up to 5 kg, reaches 120 km/h+ cruise speed and 250 km/h+ attack speed, and integrates with Minerva for swarm and ISR-linked missions.

Vanta

Unmanned surface vessel family for maritime deterrence, persistent surveillance and multi-domain operations. Vanta is built for operation in demanding sea conditions, with up to 910 nautical miles of range, 45+ knot top speed, a modular 200 kg payload area, and integration with Minerva and maritime battle-management systems.

Minerva

Command-and-control software for unmanned systems across land, air and maritime domains. Minerva supports automated target prioritisation, effector selection, swarming missions and operation of multiple systems from one ground control station while keeping humans in the loop.

Designs and manufactures armoured tactical vehicles, ballistic protection systems and specialised mission vehicles for military and security forces across Europe.

ENOK AB

An air-transportable light tactical vehicle built on a militarised Mercedes-Benz G-Class chassis. Its modular body structure allows troop transport, ambulance and reconnaissance configurations to share the same platform. Two vehicles fit inside a transport helicopter as internal cargo. In service with three EU/NATO armies.

Designs and manufactures thermal imaging clip-on devices, night vision goggles and protective equipment for military and law enforcement customers.

TigIR

A thermal imaging clip-on and targeting device designed for weapon mounting. The TigIR series offers detection ranges up to 3,000 metres and uses proprietary AI upscaling and sub-pixel collimation technologies for enhanced image precision. Available in multiple configurations, it is used by military and law enforcement units for surveillance and target acquisition.

PumIR

A thermal imaging clip-on device with automatic flap control, allowing it to be mounted on a weapon without blocking the standard optic. The PumIR is designed for flexible use across different weapon systems and has been adopted by German law enforcement units including the Berlin Police SEK.

Designs and manufactures submarine sonar suites, anti-submarine warfare systems and seabed surveillance technology for navies worldwide, with nearly 100 years of hydroacoustic expertise from Kiel, Germany.

Sphere® Passive Surveillance (KaleidoScope 2.0)

An open sonar suite designed for conventional submarines, providing full spatial, spectral and temporal acoustic coverage. It combines narrowband and broadband passive sonar for contact detection, tracking and classification, with acoustic intercept and analysis tools. The system is built on MOTS hardware with fully in-house designed and manufactured hydrophone arrays, and its modular architecture supports upgrades and future capability growth with reduced lifecycle costs. ELAC SONAR's Sphere®-based KaleidoScope 2.0 is the sonar suite selected for Italy's U212 NFS submarine programme.

Builds battlefield AI software, autonomous strike drones and electronic warfare systems for European armed forces.

CA-1 Europa

Autonomous combat aircraft with over 1,400 km range. Designed to operate independently or in swarms with the Centaur AI agent onboard. First flight targeted for 2027, with entry into service aimed for 2029. HENSOLDT joined as a partner on the programme in February 2026.

HX-2

AI-guided strike drone weighing 12 kg with over 100 km range. Operates in coordinated swarms without GPS using AI and stored map data. Mass-produced at Helsing's Resilience Factory in southern Germany, with monthly capacity exceeding 1,000 units.

Altra

Reconnaissance-strike software that fuses sensor data from drones, spotters and other sources into a single operational picture. Provides real-time targeting information for indirect fire, weapon stations and strike drones. Integrated with the HX-2 system and with Systematic SitaWare.

Builds Spectrum, a two-stage liquid-fuelled launch vehicle carrying up to 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit, serving the small and medium satellite market from launch sites in Norway and French Guiana.

Designs and integrates SIGINT, COMINT and electronic warfare systems for intelligence, law enforcement and defence customers across land, naval and airborne platforms.

ICAS (Intelligence Control and Analysis System)

Manufacturer-independent software platform that covers the entire radio reconnaissance cycle: sensor control and integration, signal interception, analysis, geolocation and export to higher-level command systems. ICAS is interoperable across different sensor manufacturers and scalable from single tactical deployments to large strategic installations. It includes AI-assisted voice activity detection and speech-to-text capabilities for processing intercepted radio communications. Deployed in land, naval and stationary configurations worldwide.

Builds Spatial AI software that turns drone and camera footage into semantic 3D maps and enables GNSS-denied navigation for European defence operations.

Builds programmable cyborg insect swarms — living organisms fitted with AI sensor backpacks and neural interfaces — for close-range reconnaissance in denied terrain, collapsed structures and urban environments where conventional robotics cannot operate.

Builds on-demand manufacturing software that helps defence and industrial organisations identify spare parts suitable for additive manufacturing and manage distributed production workflows.

Builds flight inspection systems and airborne surveillance platforms for aviation authorities, military and government agencies worldwide, and holds the world market leader position in flight inspection.

Develops and manufactures SARATOGA® CBRN protective clothing systems for military, civil defence, fire services and police forces across 55 countries.

Manufactures ballistic and blast-protected container systems for military command posts, field camps and nuclear applications, certified to NATO STANAG standards.

Designs and manufactures shoulder-fired weapons, explosive reactive armour, mine-laying systems and aerosol fire suppression for German and international armed forces from its production site in Burbach, Germany.

Builds neutral-atom quantum computers and full-stack quantum software for scientific and industrial applications, spun out of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics.

Designs and builds custom satellite platforms — optical, SAR and SATCOM — for LEO, delivering flight-ready satellites in under 12 months.

Custom Satellite Platform

Reflex's core offering: a bespoke LEO satellite bus designed and built around the customer's payload, whether optical imaging, SAR or SATCOM. The platform is manufactured at the Munich microfactory and can be delivered flight-ready in under 12 months. This speed is achieved through modern manufacturing methods, a vertically integrated supply chain and reusable design architecture rather than a one-size-fits-all bus.

Develops the RFA ONE small launch vehicle and Redshift orbital transfer vehicle to deliver satellites to any orbit from European spaceports.

RFA ONE

A three-stage small launch vehicle standing 30 metres tall, powered by nine Helix staged-combustion engines on the first stage. It delivers up to 1,300 kg to 500 km sun-synchronous orbit, 850 kg to 2,000 km polar orbit, or 450 kg to geostationary transfer orbit. The rocket uses stainless steel tanks with common bulkheads and automotive-grade composite interstages manufactured on in-house automated tape-laying equipment. It is offered in dedicated and rideshare configurations, with first-stage recovery planned for a future variant.

Redshift OTV

An orbital transfer vehicle that rides as the upper stage of RFA ONE and provides last-mile payload delivery to any target orbit. Equipped with a vacuum-optimised Helix engine and more than 2.5 km/s of delta-v, Redshift can perform altitude adjustments, inclination changes and phase shifts during a single mission, enabling one launch to serve multiple operators at different orbits. It is offered in multiple configurations with modular payload accommodation.

Builds AI-powered autonomous interceptor drones for counter-UAS operations, designed to detect, track and neutralise drone threats at scale for European armed forces.

TYTAN Interceptor METIS

A high-speed expendable interceptor drone targeting NATO Class II UAV threats. Reaching 350 km/h with a 25 km range and 5,000 m altitude ceiling, METIS uses onboard AI and computer vision to autonomously detect, track and neutralise hostile drones via direct kinetic hit. The system is containerised for mobile or vehicle-mounted deployment and is designed for mass-production at low cost per engagement.

Builds AI software and systems for autonomous drone teaming, counter-UAS and ISR across land, air and sea domains.

Builds dual-use unmanned aircraft in the 500-1000 kg class for military medical evacuation, tactical airlift and long-range surveillance, operated under its own Light UAS Operator Certificate.

Develops hypersonic vehicles for Europe's resilience and space sovereignty, focusing on advanced aerospace technology for defence and space applications.

Builds ultra-fast laser beam steering systems for counter-drone defence and high-speed industrial laser manufacturing, developed as a spin-off from Laser Zentrum Hannover.

Builds OSINT and link analysis tools that help intelligence agencies, law enforcement and corporate investigators uncover hidden connections across open-source, dark web and commercial data sources.

Builds eVTOL fixed-wing ISR drones and multi-domain autonomous systems software for NATO-aligned military forces, with over 20,000 combat flight hours logged in Ukraine.

Vector AI

Vector AI is a combat-proven mid-endurance eVTOL fixed-wing sUAS designed for tactical ISR missions. In fixed-wing configuration it has a 2.80-metre wingspan, weighs 9.5 kg at max take-off weight, and delivers 180+ minutes of flight endurance at speeds of 15–20 m/s. The system operates as a 2-in-1 platform, converting toollessly between fixed-wing and multicopter modes using identical avionics, ground controller and sensors. Dual NVIDIA Jetson Orin SOM processors handle onboard AI object detection, classification and tracking, keeping it effective in GPS-denied and electronically contested environments. Vector AI has logged over 20,000 operational flight hours in Ukraine and is integrated with ATAK, SitaWare, Kropyva and other NATO battle management systems.

Builds a universal RISC-V processor that replaces separate CPU, DSP, GPU and FPGA chips with a single reconfigurable chip for embedded and edge applications.

Builds Third Wave AI software for military decision-making under uncertainty and industrial supply chain resilience, with a defence platform based on adversarial simulation, autonomous tactics generation and multi-agent reinforcement learning.

Builds modular autonomous ground vehicles and fleet-digitisation software for Western armed forces, with systems combat-proven in Ukraine and contracted by the British Army.

Gereon RCS

A medium-class tracked unmanned ground vehicle built for front-line operations. It carries up to 500 kg, reaches 15 km/h, operates for up to 72 hours on a single charge and covers a range of 40 km. The modular ARX attachment system allows rapid reconfiguration for reconnaissance, casualty evacuation, logistics and effector carriage. Thermal night vision cameras are standard and control range extends to 4 km.

Builds trapped-ion quantum computers using proprietary microwave-based MAGIC technology for industrial applications in optimization, materials simulation and logistics.

Builds VTOL fixed-wing drones for ISR, border surveillance, inspection and tactical military operations, sold to armed forces and security agencies across Europe.

Builds space traffic management and collision avoidance platforms that help satellite operators navigate an increasingly crowded orbit.

Space situational awareness using AI-driven analytics and a dedicated microsatellite constellation for in-orbit debris tracking. TU Munich spin-off backed by Safran Corporate Ventures and the European Investment Fund, in talks with NATO space commands.

Builds software-defined, adaptive data links that keep unmanned ground, air and sea systems connected under jamming and electronic warfare conditions.

Builds RF spectrum analysers and the AARTOS counter-drone detection and defence system, used by militaries and critical infrastructure operators worldwide.

Builds counter-drone systems that detect, track and neutralise unauthorised UAVs for military, government and critical infrastructure operators across 35+ countries.

A materials technology company developing advanced fiber-reinforced composites and metal-coated fibers for applications including electromagnetic shielding, radar-absorbing materials, and high-performance composites for aerospace and defence sectors.

Builds hoistable mast systems, submarine components and torpedo-tube-launched unmanned surface vessels for naval forces worldwide.

Builds cloud and on-premises big data platforms for managing, processing and visualising underwater and terrestrial sensor data, serving navies, offshore wind operators and hydrographic agencies.

Builds a satellite constellation and wildfire management platform that detects and tracks fires as small as 10x10 metres across 500 million hectares globally, serving fire agencies and land managers in 25 countries.

Develops VR and mixed-reality flight simulators for Eurofighter and Tornado aircrew training. A Bundeswehr partner for over 20 years, staffed by 50+ engineers including former Luftwaffe pilots.

Builds a geospatial intelligence platform that ingests drone video, satellite imagery, SAR, LiDAR and SIGINT, then automatically fuses it into a persistent 3D picture of the operational environment for military and security decision-makers.

Designs and integrates open-architecture naval communications systems, secure military messaging and submarine antenna solutions for navies worldwide.

APCOS 4000 – Integrated Communication System

Open-architecture digital communications platform for surface warships and submarines. APCOS 4000 handles tactical voice, internal comms, radio system integration, IP routing, voice over IP and strict separation of classified and unclassified traffic. Network nodes interconnect via a redundant dual fibre-optic ring, ensuring survivability in the event of cable breaks or node faults. Deployed on the German Navy's F125 frigate programme among other vessels.

Photonic computing chips processing data at the speed of light for high-performance defence AI and signal processing.

Builds airborne air-to-air counter-UAS systems that detect, track and intercept hostile drones using networked airborne sensors and interceptors.

Sentinel

Sentinel is an airborne counter-UAS platform that detects, tracks and intercepts hostile drones before they reach their target. It coordinates multiple airborne assets — Sentry sensor platforms, Sparrowhawk interceptors, and the Sentinel OS operating system — through a single unified software layer. Real-time sensor fusion from active and passive sensors enables threat detection and classification at range, with edge processing to minimise response latency. The architecture is modular and can be deployed as a complete capability or integrated with existing radar, C2 and ground-based air-defence systems.

Provides drone-based unexploded ordnance detection using geomagnetic sensors, serving infrastructure and construction clients and the German Bundeswehr with a service up to 10 times faster than conventional ground-based surveying.

Designs and manufactures aviation safety seats, parachute systems, CBRN protective equipment and blast-protected vehicle seating for military and aerospace customers worldwide.

AI-powered explosive ordnance recognition and disposal. SAFETREK app is the first AI software to detect, classify and geolocate mines and IEDs. Partners with ARX Robotics and WARGdrones on Project Vulture for rapid minefield breaching.

Advanced composite materials manufacturer for aerospace and defence structural applications. Alpine Space Ventures portfolio.

Produces the EKA Camlock expandable baton used by German police and over 500,000 law enforcement units worldwide. Also manufactures FlexShield foldable ballistic shields and Hart Armour body protection systems.

Darknet monitoring and leaked credential detection platform for defence and critical infrastructure. Indexes 80 billion accounts and 300 billion assets with AI-driven risk prioritization. DefenseTech-Inkubator.NRW member.

Family-owned ballistic helmet manufacturer with over 40 years of history. Developed the combat helmet currently worn by Bundeswehr soldiers. Produces aramid-based helmets certified to DEA-FBI Ballistic Protocol standards from facilities in Gütersloh.

Makes tactical communication hardware — PTT control units, DECT wireless intercom systems and hearing-protective headsets — for armed forces, police and emergency services.

Designs, manufactures and commissions HF radio communication systems and antenna infrastructure for military and government customers. One of Europe's leading integrators for naval ship-to-shore HF comms covering VLF through UHF bands.

Designs and operates thermal imaging satellites that give defence, national security and government customers precise, day-and-night surface temperature intelligence invisible to optical or radar sensors.

DeltaOrbit develops next-generation in-space propulsion systems using advanced cryogenic Methane/Oxygen technology. Their satellite engines provide superior agility and endurance for multi-orbit operations, interceptions, and evasions, enabling allied forces to win maneuver warfare in space.

Builds loitering munitions, drone avionics and UAV warheads from Hutthurm, Bavaria, with a focus on sovereign European production and field-proven systems.

Manufactures rugged MF/HF military and submarine antennas under the DUK brand. Installed on naval fleets worldwide including the German Navy. Founded 1952, all products made in Germany near Hamburg.

Builds the Greyshark family of autonomous underwater vehicles for long-range ISR and subsea infrastructure protection. The hydrogen-powered Foxtrot variant can operate for 16 weeks covering 11,000 nautical miles. Partnered with Rheinmetall for coastal defence integration.

GREYSHARK Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Long-endurance autonomous underwater vehicle developed with EvoLogics for mine countermeasures, subsea infrastructure monitoring, ISR, coastline defence and patrol missions.

Power Electronics

Rugged pulse power, launcher power supply and naval UPS systems designed for weapon systems, navigation, communications, control and other mission-critical defence platforms.

Day and Night-View Systems

High-precision opto-electronic systems combining electro-optical sensors, thermal imaging and AI-assisted image processing for ground vehicles and naval platforms.

Counter-Drone Technology

AI-driven counter-drone capabilities focused on detection, classification and mission-system integration for defence and critical-infrastructure protection.

Designs biomimetic underwater robots and acoustic communication systems for naval and offshore operations. Products include autonomous underwater vehicles inspired by penguin locomotion and dolphin-based acoustic modems for subsea positioning. Founded in 2000 in Berlin.

Military container systems manufacturer based in Bremen. Produces protected living units, command shelters, mine detection containers and mobile camp infrastructure for the Bundeswehr and NATO forces worldwide.

Designs and manufactures autonomous uncrewed surface vessels for naval defence including the Q-RECON series and underwater vehicles. Combines AI-powered Q-MIND autonomy software with maritime hardware for coastal surveillance and special forces operations.

Builds end-to-end encrypted mobile phones with 4096-bit key exchange and hardened OS. Pioneered the secure smartphone market in 2003 with patented Baseband Firewall that detects IMSI catchers. Used in 50+ countries.

Manufactures bullet-resistant glass and periscopes for armoured vehicles. Supplies 40+ armies worldwide with over 400 periscope types and composite transparent armour that reduces weight by 10-20% at the same ballistic protection level.

Builds mission software and AI autonomy tools that let pilots and operators coordinate manned and unmanned aircraft from a single interface.

Designs and manufactures FPGA-based embedded electronics and optronics hardware for military vehicles, submarines and frigates, as well as industrial embedded vision and intelligent camera systems.

Develops and manufactures UAV drones for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, offering modular, encrypted drone systems with dual-use applications for professional security operations.

Value-added distributor of military communications, tactical radios, SATCOM, optronics and night vision devices. Serves as MRO partner to the Bundeswehr for rescue equipment, NVGs and military radios since 1992.

Develops precise indoor and outdoor positioning systems using proprietary algorithms and rugged hardware for defence and security applications. Supplies Rheinmetall and ARX Robotics with radio-based position tracking for GPS-denied environments.

Uses satellite imagery and AI to monitor vegetation, pipeline and supply chain risks across critical infrastructure networks.

Building Europe's first commercial Earth Observation satellite constellation for daily high-resolution monitoring. Combines multispectral satellite systems with AI-powered analytics.

Builds FEEP-based electric propulsion systems for small satellites, enabling constellation deployment, collision avoidance, station keeping and deorbiting throughout the entire mission lifetime.

Develops superconducting single-photon detectors for photonic quantum sensing and optical quantum computing. Specializes in quantum sensing instrumentation.

Manufactures stainless steel defence components, special machine assemblies and tank track maintenance systems in Saxony. Supplies armoured vehicle parts and custom defence solutions to the Bundeswehr.

Compact eavesdropping-secure satellite communication using software-defined radios and MIMO antenna technology. Universität der Bundeswehr München spin-off, winner of the CPM Innovation Award 2025.

Develops and manufactures tactical audio communication systems for military, special forces and emergency services. Professional-grade headsets and audio equipment for noisy and critical environments. Made in Germany.

Builds a distributed small-satellite constellation that detects, identifies and geolocates radio-frequency signals globally in near real time for defence and security intelligence applications.

Builds fully reusable horizontal take-off spaceplanes and hypersonic vehicles for both commercial satellite launch and Bundeswehr-contracted defence applications, powered by in-house aerospike rocket engines.

Develops AI-supported software solutions for defence and security capabilities, focusing on data-driven decision-making and situational awareness through their Q-SUITE platform.

Builds quantum key distribution systems for ultra-secure fibre and satellite communications. Fraunhofer IOF spin-off whose entangled photon-pair sources are independently certified and deployed in European quantum network projects. Founded in 2020 in Jena.

Builds quantum diamond microscopes that use nitrogen-vacancy sensors to map electrical defects in semiconductor chips with 100x higher resolution than traditional inspection tools.

Designs and manufactures high-fidelity flight simulators, maintenance training rigs and augmented reality training devices for military and civil aviation customers worldwide.

Develops the ARGOS APS passive counter-drone system using AI-assisted acoustic and optical sensor fusion instead of radar to avoid electronic detection. Designed by soldiers for soldiers with a target price under EUR 100,000 per unit for scalable frontline deployment.

Develops and manufactures modular robot automation solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises, offering flexible hardware kits and no-code software platforms.

Modular Robot Kit

A configurable industrial robot system built from interchangeable modules, supporting 1 to 8 axes with up to 40 kg payload, 2.5 m reach, and 0.1 mm repeat accuracy — deployable within weeks via a Robotics-as-a-Service model.

RobVision

AI-powered computer vision system that trains object recognition models from CAD data using synthetic images, enabling autonomous bin picking, depalletization, and label picking without manual labeling.

RobFlow

No-code robot programming software with drag-and-drop workflow nodes, digital twin simulation, and cloud-based remote deployment — enabling non-specialists to program complex automation tasks.

Manufactures precision riflescopes for military, police, hunting and competition shooting, produced entirely in Biebertal, Germany since 1957.

Manufactures the Bundeswehr standard combat helmet (Gefechtshelm M92) and the modern M100 ballistic helmet certified to NIJ IIIA and VPAM 2. Produces 1.5 million helmets per year from Magdeburg with around 300 employees. Founded 1922.

Berlin startup modernising military logistics with AI-driven planning, real-time supply chain visibility and resilient distribution. Replaces analogue processes used by armed forces with software-based planning tools.

Counter-drone startup developing the DroneHammer, a laser-guided interceptor missile that neutralises FPV drones at up to 2,000 metres for around EUR 2,500 per shot. Uses CO2-based fragmentation instead of explosives. Pre-series production planned for Q4 2026.

Europe's only manufacturer of guyless mobile antenna masts up to 40 metres. Over 1,900 units in military service worldwide for communications, radar and surveillance. Bundeswehr supplier since 1974.

Military parachute systems manufacturer certified as a Bundeswehr aviation equipment supplier. Exports to over 30 countries and has produced parachutes for armed forces worldwide for over 70 years from its Saxony facility.

Uses AI to process billions of open sources for real-time situational awareness and crisis intelligence. Provides 24/7 dynamic frontline monitoring of the Ukraine conflict for government and military organizations. Spin-off from FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg.

Lightweight mobile explosives trace detector weighing 1.3 kg, using chemical-optical measurement technology with patented fluorescent dyes that react to TNT and other explosives. BAM spin-off supported by the EXIST funding programme.

Builds military inflatable boats and rigid-hull inflatables for special forces, rescue services and naval operations. Based near Hamburg, the company has designed customized boats for government agencies and security forces since 1987.

Develops digital wideband RF jammers and counter-drone systems manufactured in Germany. The modular XWJ2 platform covers vehicle, portable and stationary jamming across 800+ security projects in 90+ countries since 2003.

Develops and manufactures thermal imaging cameras and electronic modules for military, government and civilian use. Founded in 2012, the company produces all devices at its Fürth facility and serves as OEM partner for thermal imaging technology.

Autonomous drone systems for explosive ordnance disposal and counter-IED operations. PEREGRINE drone deploys LANCE disruptors from airborne or landed positions with AI-assisted target acquisition. Delivering to Ukrainian forces.

Builds the Wingcopter 198 tilt-rotor VTOL drone for long-range cargo delivery, LiDAR infrastructure surveying and reconnaissance missions, with a joint venture scaling production of reconnaissance UAVs in Germany for Ukraine.

Develops RF electronics, satellite frequency converters and navigation simulators with a growing defence electronics division. Selected by ESA as prime contractor for the IRIS2 secure connectivity constellation test bed.

Tactical equipment manufacturer producing plate carriers, ballistic vests, magazine pouches and load-bearing systems for the Bundeswehr, police and special forces. All products are sewn in Germany to military TL specifications.

Develops compact, mobile telescopic mast systems with self-locking structures for mounting sensors and effectors on military platforms. Products feature internal cable routing and modular payload interfaces for field deployment. Founded 2011.