Berlin-based defence technology company Stark Defence has reportedly crossed the €1 billion valuation mark following a fresh funding round, according to industry sources.
The valuation milestone comes as the company prepares to conclude a significant long-term framework agreement with the German Armed Forces. Reports indicate that Stark is close to signing a contract worth up to €2.4 billion with the Bundeswehr, with finalisation expected in the coming weeks.
Multi-Billion-Euro Framework To Strengthen NATO’s Eastern Flank
The reported agreement includes an initial allocation of €280 million beginning in 2026, with the remaining budget distributed over multiple years. Stark’s autonomous systems are expected to be deployed across an entire German brigade stationed in Lithuania by the end of 2026, underlining Germany’s broader strategy to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Reaching unicorn status positions Stark Defence among a small group of European defence technology companies achieving billion-euro valuations. The development reflects a wider shift across Europe, where governments are accelerating procurement and investing heavily in next-generation autonomous systems.
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Rapid Growth In A Traditionally Slow Sector
The company’s swift rise highlights how defence innovation cycles are shortening under mounting security pressures. Where procurement and deployment once took years, urgent operational requirements, combined with venture backing and specialised engineering teams, are enabling faster design, testing and field integration.
Founded by Florian Seibel, who also co-founded Quantum Systems alongside Johannes Schaback, Stark Defence focuses on autonomous strike drones and advanced unmanned defence systems. The company operates in one of the most dynamic segments of the defence industry, as European militaries increasingly prioritise unmanned aerial capabilities to address evolving battlefield conditions and compressed acquisition timelines.
With large-scale contracts reportedly in progress, Stark Defence is emerging as a significant contributor to Europe’s rapidly expanding defence technology landscape.
