German defence technology startup ARX Robotics secured EUR31mn for the production of its autonomous battlefield robots that look like mini tanks, but without the guns.
ARX, supported
by NATO’s Innovation Fund, will also use the new capital to advance its Mithras Operating System. The software is designed for existing military vehicles to be modernised through AI, sensors, and autonomous driving abilities. The company estimates that it can retrofit 50,000 NATO cars with the technology. Marc Wietfeld, co-founder and CEO at ARX — who will be speaking at
TNW Conference, Assembly and in June — he wants his company to be the European leader in this segment.
Wietfeld said, “The demand for modular software-driven defense systems is rapidly growing — and we are building the company that defines this category in Europe”.
ARX announced earlier this month that it would invest PS45mn in a new UK facility where they will build their autonomous ground vehicles. Once the plant is operational, the company expects to produce 1,800 robots for war each year.
ARX machines can be equipped with radar, mine-sweeping devices or medical stretchers. The largest can carry military payloads up to 500kg, including injured soldiers, across the battlefield.
These robots are modular and built with components that are available in Europe. The robots are designed to be easily repaired on the battlefield by soldiers without any tools. The vehicles can be controlled remotely by military personnel using a tablet. They move autonomously.
Rise in defence tech
The military forces of Germany Austria Switzerland Hungary and the UK have 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. ARX was also contracted by the European Defence Agency (EDA), to participate in a first EU-wide defense innovation initiative.
“ARX Robotics is the largest Western UGV Fleet in Ukraine, and we look forward continuing to support the firm as it expands across NATO nations,” Chris O’Connor said, partner at NATO Innovation Fund. HV Capital led the new Series A funding round for the company. Omnes Capital, NATO Innovation Fund, and Project A are also investors.
ARX has raised its capital amid a substantial increase in European defence expenditures in recent months.
By March 2025, EU leaders will endorse “ReArm Europe”, a plan to mobilize up to PS683bn(EUR800bn), over the next four-years, to enhance military capability. The UK government has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. It also wants to spend atleast 10% of its defense budget on “innovative technology.”
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