German startup ARX Robotics announced plans to invest PS45mn in a new UK facility[whereitwillbuildautonomousbattlerobotsfordeploymentaroundtheworldARXRoboticsexpectstoproduce1800dronesforthegroundinsouthwestEnglandoncetheplantisupandrunning

ARX battlefield robots resemble small tanks, but without guns. The vehicles can be fitted out with medical stretchers, mine-sweeping devices or radar. They drive on treads.

ARX’s largest machine can carry military payloads up to 500kg, including injured soldiers across the battlefield.Another modelis a moving target practice device, while another transports aerial drones to combat.

These robots are built with off-the shelf components. The robots are designed to be easily repaired on the battlefield by soldiers without any tools. The drones can be controlled remotely by military personnel using a tablet. They move autonomously. Soldiers can control robots using a tablet.

The armed services of Germany, Austria Switzerland, Hungary and the UK conducted field tests with ARX’s technology. In February, the company provided 30 of its warbots to Ukrainian Armed Forces troops engaged in active combat. Marc Wietfeld is the CEO of ARX and will be speaking in June at the TNW Conference. Wietfeld said that the ARX facility in Britain will contribute to “long-term technical sovereignty” for both the UK as well as Europe. He said that we live in a “fast-moving and increasingly volatile world.”

This is about strengthening European resistance, through technological autonomy, scalable autonomy, as well as the modernisation and modernisation of land force, he said. Defence tech is on the rise in Europe

As a result of escalating geopolitical tensions in recent months, European nations have pledged to increase their defence spending.

By March 2025, EU leaders will endorse “ReArm Europe”, a plan to mobilize up to PS683bn(EUR800bn) in the next four-years to enhance military capability. The UK government has committed that it will increase defence spending to 2,5% of GDP, and spend at least 10% on “innovative technology”. ARX is looking to capitalize on this political momentum.

John Healey said that he “warmly welcomes” the startup’s investment of PS45mn into the UK. Healey stated that the investment would create high-skilled jobs and contribute to European security. Wietfeld, Stefan Robel, and Maximilian Wied founded ARX 2022 with fellow German army veterans Stefan Robel. The company raised seed funding of PS7,7mn (EUR9mn]) from NATO’s Innovation Fund last year . Marc Wietfeld

will share his insights duringTNW Conference, which takes place June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets are on sale now. Use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 to get 30% off.