German Defense Tech Start-Up, Stark, Validates Technological Feasibility of Fully Autonomous Drones
Founded in 2024, Munich-based defense tech start-up, Stark, aims to innovate European defense production. Backed by tech billionaire, Peter Thiel, Stark emerged from stealth on April 14th, launching its inaugural drone, OWE-V, a Vertical Take-Off and Landing platform.
The OWE-V incorporates software enabling real-time decision-making to counter electronic warfare threats and can also be recalled mid-flight to minimize collateral damage. It was developed with input from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and features a 100-kilometer range and advanced AI-powered targeting.
The increase in Russia's use of unmanned systems in Ukraine has expedited investment in drone technology, proponents of which highlight drones’ precision and effectiveness - at a substantially lower cost compared to alternatives such as tanks or missiles.
The launch of the OWE-V comes as drone warfare continues to evolve rapidly along NATO’s eastern frontier. The “Drone Wall", a new defense initiative aimed at strengthening NATO's eastern flank, envisions creating a continuous layer of drones from Norway to Poland to act as a kind of early warning and reconnaissance network.
Numerous unmanned systems already possess autonomous navigation and target tracking capabilities. Philip Lockwood, Managing Director of Stark and former head of NATO’s Innovation Unit, indicated that the deployment of next-generation drones that do not require human authorization for target selection and engagement, is “not far off”.
Although the EU has indicated support for prohibiting fully autonomous weapons, it has yet to enact legislation on this matter and international treaty efforts through the UN have encountered slow progress.
Lockwood cautioned that other regions may be less hesitant to deploy such weapons. “I believe we should be concerned that our adversaries, such as Russia and China, will not share our reservations regarding the employment of these systems,” he stated.
Lockwood’s warning comes amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence on the battlefield in Ukraine, where many systems utilize autonomous navigation and AI software to chart their paths, resist jamming, and track moving targets. US-based Anduril has become one of the primary beneficiaries of the increased demand for innovative technologies - hundreds of its Altius-600M drones have been acquired by the Pentagon and deployed to Ukraine’s front line. Other notable companies include Turkey’s drone manufacturer, Baykar, Munich-based Helsing, and reconnaissance drone manufacturer, Quantum Systems, founded by Florian Seidel - also associated with Stark. Start-up Tekever also produces drones for intelligence and surveillance purposes.
According to Lockwood, Stark maintains controls to ensure human involvement in decision-making. "We are not comfortable at this stage reducing those controls," he remarked. Lockwood also stated the importance of modernizing systems to address current conflicts. OWE-V's modular architecture supports software and hardware upgrades, enhancing adaptability in high-threat environments.
Extensive field trials in Ukraine have influenced its development. The OWE-V is optimized for rapid deployment without runways, which supports covert operations and increases battlefield flexibility. This system aligns with Stark’s goal to provide NATO and European partners with mass-producible deterrent systems in response to ongoing conflicts. “At Stark we understand that effective deterrence demands resilient and innovative defense capabilities. We cannot win tomorrow’s conflicts with the systems designed for yesterday’s wars,” said Lockwood.
Stark was reportedly among two suppliers, including competitor Helsing, chosen by the German Ministry of Defense to equip the Bundeswehr under the €100 billion rearmament initiative announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, following the onset of the war in Ukraine. This decision demonstrates a political commitment to fostering domestic innovation, strengthening Germany’s defense industrial base, and expediting the digital transformation of the armed forces. Historically limited to unarmed ISR drones, the Bundeswehr is now making a significant advance both doctrinally and technologically by integrating autonomous strike capabilities through systems, such as Virtus. The HX-2 model from Helsing, presented at the end of 2024, is already in service in Ukraine and is considered “battle-proven”.
Stark continues to position itself as a key player in the growing European market for intelligent loitering munitions, with operational presence in Berlin, Munich, and Kyiv. The company specifically targets NATO forces and strategic partners, foremost among them Ukraine. Stark is part of the UXS Alliance, collaborating on developing unmanned systems across various domains. The company plans to begin scaled production at European facilities later this year.
Related:
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