“Next generation air combat”: Billion-dollar startup Helsing buys this Bavarian aircraft manufacturer

Helsing, a defense startup that has previously specialized primarily in software, has acquired a Bavarian aircraft manufacturer. The acquisition comes shortly after its conversion to an SE.

The Munich-based defense tech startup Helsing has acquired the Bavarian aircraft manufacturer Grob Aircraft SE. With this deal, the AI ​​company aims to strengthen its position in air combat technologies and develop "next-generation technologies for air combat" together with Grob Aircraft.

Founded in 2021, the Munich-based startup Helsing develops AI solutions for the security and defense sectors—for example, for tanks, submarines, and jets. The acquisition fits into Helsing's strategy of developing hardware and software solutions for military applications, according to a statement.

Grob Aircraft brings its expertise as a manufacturer of composite aircraft . This involves combining different materials without completely mixing them, resulting in improved materials. Helsing, for its part, contributes its AI and software solutions.

The acquired company from Tussenhausen employs around 275 people and has its own airfield as well as a “well-filled pipeline” of planned aircraft deliveries.

The two companies have already cooperated in the past: Grob Aircraft aircraft served as a development platform for Helsing's AI software "Cirra," which can assess threat scenarios in real time. This electronic warfare solution is now to be further developed.

Helsing is now planning investments at the Tussenhausen site, which will create new jobs in Bavaria.

Grob Aircraft is being sold by H3 Aerospace GmbH & Co. KG. The acquisition is still subject to regulatory approval. All parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

The acquisition announcement comes just two days after Helsing transformed into a European Company (Societas Europaea, SE). The new legal form is intended to underline Helsing's "European identity" and facilitate "further expansion in Europe," according to the company.

An SE structure significantly simplifies cross-border M&A transactions and enables the company to expand and reorganize across national borders – without expensive and time-consuming formalities for multiple subsidiaries in individual countries. This also makes an early IPO of the company quite conceivable.

Just in February 2025, Helsing announced a strategic partnership with the Paris-based AI unicorn Mistral. The goal of the partnership is the joint development of "next-generation AI systems for the defense of Europe," the company stated in a statement. The partnership "is intended to ensure that humans and AI work together better in war."

Investors have raised more than €760 million in funding for the startup to date. Most recently, Helsing announced the completion of a €450 million Series C round in the summer of 2024. This increased the startup's value to €5 billion—and is likely even higher by now. This makes Helsing—at least on paper—the most valuable European defense tech startup. Helsing was also the first European unicorn in the defense sector and is among the most highly valued startups in Europe overall.