Latest news with #HX-2
CNBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
Spotify's Daniel Ek leads $694 million investment in defense startup Helsing
European defense technology startup Helsing on Tuesday said that it's raised 600 million euros ($693.6 million) in a bumper new round of funding. The investment was led by Prima Materia, the venture capital firm founded by Spotify CEO Daniel Ek and by Shakil Khan, an early investor in the popular music streaming app. Ek is also chairman of Helsing. Existing investors Lightspeed Venture Partners, Accel, Plural, General Catalyst and Saab also put money in, alongside new investors BDT & MSD Partners. Defense and the technology behind it have become a hot area for investors lately, amid major global conflicts, including the Ukraine war to Israel-Gaza. Last week saw a further escalation of war in the Middle East as Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iran. In 2024, venture funding in Europe's defense, security and resilience sector reached an all-time high of $5.2 billion, according to a recent report from the NATO Innovation Fund. The sector grew 30% in the past two years, outperforming the broader VC market, which saw a 45% decline over the same period. Founded in 2021, Helsing sells software that uses artificial intelligence technology to analyze large amounts of sensor and weapons system data from the battlefield to inform military decisions in real time. Last year, the startup also began manufacturing its own line of military drones, called HX-2. Helsing, which operates in the U.K., Germany and France, said it would use the fresh cash to invest in Europe's "technological sovereignty" — which refers to attempts to onshore the development and production of critical technologies, such as AI. 'As Europe rapidly strengthens its defence capabilities in response to evolving geopolitical challenges, there is an urgent need for investments in advanced technologies that ensure its strategic autonomy and security readiness," Ek said in a statement out Tuesday. Helsing did not disclose its new valuation following the latest financing round, which is subject to "certain approvals," according to a statement. The firm was previously valued at around 5 billion euros in a 450 million euro funding round led by General Catalyst last year.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Six Chilling Ways Putin's Russia Could Destroy the UK Within Hours: British Government Warns
Live Events FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Britain might be hit by waves of kamikaze drones , missiles, and cyber hacks if a war with Russia happens soon. The UK Ministry of Defence says the country is not ready for a full-on war like this. The SDR report is 144 pages long and shows how vulnerable Britain is, as per military bases of the UK are now under constant threat of a possible Russian targeted attack, with sophisticated drones, long-range cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missiles, all on the table for the Kremlin. Key UK targets: Navy bases in Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Clyde. Overseas targets: RAF Akrotiri , Al Minhad Air Base, and Diego Garcia, as per Mail Online report.A digital army of Russian hackers might attack UK government websites, the stock market, communications, and power saboteurs could attack oil rigs, satellite systems, and merchant ships. They might also try to stop trade ships and harm industries that help the UK military. Russia could spread lies and fake news to confuse people, cause panic, and divide society. Russia might damage or block space-based communication systems the UK depends on. UK troops and military spots outside Britain could also be hit hard, as per defences are weak right now, low missile stock, poor recruitment, low morale. The UK's current defences are not enough to stop drone or missile swarms like the ones seen in Ukraine, Israel, and Russia. Recent attacks by Ukraine's cheap kamikaze drones showed how powerful even small weapons can be. Ukraine used vans and drones to destroy two secret Russian airbases, costing Russia £5.2 billion in damage, as per Mail Secretary John Healey said £1 billion will go to boost air and missile defences and start a cyber and electromagnetic warfare unit. £1.5 billion will be spent to build at least six new munitions factories in the UK. The UK plans to buy 7,000 long-range British-made weapons. Britain plans on pushing the defence budget, with more funds for homes for military jets might carry nuclear weapons again. British troops in Estonia will get hundreds of new kamikaze drones called HX-2. The UK cadet force will grow to 250,000 school students for a 'whole of society' defence system, as stated in the United Kingdom is at risk of a potential Russian attack, with reports suggesting that a string of drone attacks, economic sabotage, cyber hacks and propaganda are being prepped by the Kremlin. The country is not well-prepared today, but the government is planning new defences, more weapons, and stronger forces. Experts say it's time for a huge shift in mindset to keep the UK safe in the future, as mentioned in the Mail Online could use drones, missiles, cyber hacks, and fake news to cause say the UK is not fully prepared but is working on improving defences.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
German defence tech firm Helsing unveils new underwater drone
German defence company Helsing, which specializes in AI technology, has developed an underwater drone that can be deployed to protect ships and critical infrastructure, the Munich-based firm said on Tuesday. Dubbed SG-1 Fathom, the autonomous underwater glider is capable of patrolling "for up to three months at a time in search of underwater threats," Helsing said in a press release. The company also unveiled the Lura software platform and advanced AI system which deploys on the drone and is able to detect and classify sounds made by ships and submarines "with unprecedented sensitivity and accuracy" thanks to a large acoustic model similar to language models. "Lura's use of a large acoustic model enables it to detect acoustic signatures 10x quieter than other AI models, even differentiating between specific vessels from within the same class, and at a speed up to 40x faster than human operators," Helsing said. The company also makes the HX-2 kamikaze drone, which is used by Ukraine. "Lura detects [threats] so our navies can deter," said co-founder and co-chief executive Grundbert Scherf. "We must harness new technologies to keep pace with the threats against our critical infrastructure, national waters, and way of life. Deploying AI to the edge of underwater constellations will illuminate the oceans and deter our adversaries, for a strong Europe." Western countries have been looking for ways to protect pipelines and data cables on the seabed from sabotage, attacks and spying attempts for some time.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Game changer': German military invests in combat drones
The German military plans to invest in combat drones, sources in the Defence Ministry said on Thursday. Contracts are to be signed in the coming days, the sources said, adding that the military plans to initially purchase small quantities of the drones from at least two unnamed manufacturers so that troops can gain experience using them. The partly autonomous attack drones are equipped with explosives and are referred to as "loitering ammunition." As they can be employed for single attacks, they are sometimes known as kamikaze drones. In recent years, Germany has lagged well behind other countries in the field of defence technology, but a number of companies are now active in the field. Among them is Helsing, which has developed the HX-2 drone, initially for use in Ukraine. The drone uses artificial intelligence to direct explosive charges at a target and is less susceptible to jamming. Helsing recently advocated the rapid development of a credible conventional deterrent on NATO's eastern flank using new types of combat drones. The Defence Ministry believes drones have become a "real game changer" in modern warfare, similar to the development of tanks 100 years ago. The technology can be decisive in certain battles, even if the weapons cannot determine the outcome of an entire war, it said.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
German AI boss: 'Drone wall' on NATO eastern flank possible in a year
German defence company Helsing is calling for the swift establishment of an effective conventional deterrent on NATO's eastern flank using new types of combat drones. "A drone wall could be erected within a year. You also need reconnaissance systems, satellites and probably reconnaissance drones," Gundbert Scherf, co-founder and co-chief executive of the Munich-based enterprise, told dpa on Sunday. However, Scherf believes the entire concept of modern-day defence would first need a major rethink. "At the moment, the debate is still like the Cold War," he argued. "We're counting armoured systems, aircraft and ships on the other side and seeing if we can somehow get close to parity with a lot of money. And I think that's the wrong way round." Helsing specializes in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the defence industry. It has developed the HX-2 drone - initially for use in Ukraine - which employs AI to guide explosive charges to a target and is less susceptible to electronic interference. The company has established a partnership with French space start-up Loft Orbital to monitor borders and troop movements using reconnaissance satellites. With the Swedish manufacturer Saab, preparations are being made to install an AI application for air combat in the Gripen fighter jet. Helsing also plans to present an autonomous system for use at sea soon.
