15 Top Defense Companies and Startups to Watch in Europe [2025]

Explore 15 defense companies and startups shaping military technology in Europe. These innovators advance battlefield solutions, unmanned systems, and defense asset protection for better security and operational efficiency.

This report highlights technologies like drone interception, uncrewed systems, and electromagnetic defense. Discover how these companies transform military transportation, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber defense, and space security. They lead innovations in land, air, sea, and electronic warfare systems.

Global Startup Heat Map highlights 230+ European Defense Startups to Watch

Through the Big Data & Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered StartUs Insights Discovery Platform, covering over 5M+ startups, 20K+ technology trends plus 150M+ patents, news articles & market reports, we identified 230+ European defense startups.

The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights the 15 European military companies you should watch in 2025, as well as the geo-distribution of 230+ startups & scaleups we analyzed for this research.

According to our data, we observe high startup activity in Western Europe. The top 5 Startup Hubs for Defense are London, Berlin, Vernon, Madrid, and Munich.

Discover Emerging European Defense Companies & Startups to Watch in 2025

We hand-picked startups to showcase in this report by filtering for their technology, founding year, location, funding, and other metrics.

These 15 military companies in Europe work on solutions ranging from combat vehicles and drone interceptor platforms to military training and defense asset protection.

1. Rheinmetall – Military Vehicle Manufacturing
2. Leonardo – Naval, Land Defense, Helicopters, Unmanned Systems, Air Defense
3. BAE Systems – Combat Vehicles, Aircraft, Electronic Warfare
4. Baykar Technologies – UAS for Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Combat
5. Airbus – Military Aircraft, Military Helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Systems
6. ASAX Innovation – Transportation of Injured Soldiers
7. Nordic Air Defence – Drone Interceptor Platform
8. Harmattan AI – Autonomous & Scalable Defense Systems
9. EuroHeater – Military Mobile Air Heaters
10. Overwatch – Uncrewed Systems and Payloads
11. DEFSENSE – Military Training System
12. Hiraiwa – Defensive Battlefield Solutions
13. Immediate Action – Defense Asset Protection
14. Wild Hornets – FPV drones for Armed Forces
15. Crown Cyber Defence – Advanced Electromagnetic Systems

1. Rheinmetall

• Founding Year: 1889
• Location: Düsseldorf, Germany
• Use For: Military Vehicle Manufacturing

Rheinmetall offers a portfolio of defense and military products to enhance operational effectiveness across various domains. In air defense, the company provides systems such as the Oerlikon Skyshield, a modular, lightweight, short-range air defense system countering aircraft and missile threats.

The Skyranger 30 is a mobile air defense system that features a 30mm revolver cannon with a high rate of fire. It integrates very short-range missiles to provide flexibility in countering diverse aerial threats. For ground forces, Rheinmetall develops main battle tanks like the Panther KF51, equipped with a 130mm smoothbore gun and advanced protection systems.

The company’s weapons and ammunition division produces a variety of calibers, including large and medium-caliber weapons, protection systems, propulsion systems, charge systems, and propellant powders. These offerings provide precise and effective solutions against enemy threats. In addition, Rheinmetall provides protection systems combining active soft-kill and hard-kill technologies with passive protection to offer a comprehensive protection portfolio for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty applications.

2. Leonardo

• Founding Year: 1948
• Location: Rome, Italy
• Use For: Naval, Land Defense, Helicopters, Unmanned Systems, Air Defense

Leonardo develops defense and military technologies across multiple domains. In the naval sector, it offers the LIONFISH 30, a compact, lightweight turret with a 30mm X-GUN, which responds to asymmetric threats, including drones and helicopters.

For land defense, the HITFIST 30 UL turret, with the 30mm X-GUN, provides firepower and modularity for armored vehicles. Leonardo’s helicopters, such as the AW101, are designed for multi-role operations with advanced avionics and mission systems to ensure performance and flexibility.

In unmanned systems, the AWHERO rotary-wing unmanned aerial system (RUAS) offers modular, multi-payload capabilities for land and maritime surveillance to enhance situational awareness. Further, Leonardo’s air defense solutions include the RAT 31 DL, an advanced L-band solid-state phased array 3D surveillance radar effective beyond 500 km to support military air defense operations.

3. BAE Systems

• Founding Year: 1999
• Location: London, UK
• Use For: Combat Vehicles, Aircraft, Electronic Warfare

BAE Systems produces armored combat vehicles such as the M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle and the M109 Paladin self-propelled howitzer in the land sector to enhance battlefield mobility and firepower.

In the aerospace domain, the company contributes to military aircraft production, including the Typhoon fighter and the F-35 Lightning II program, to deliver avionics and electronic warfare systems.

Further, its electronic systems division develops defense electronics for flight and engine control, electronic warfare, surveillance, communications, and power and energy management.

4. Baykar Technologies

• Founding Year: 1982
• Location: Istanbul, Turkey
• Use For: UAS for Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Combat

Baykar Technologies manufactures Bayraktar TB2, a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) tactical UAV that conducts intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and armed attack missions. It features a triple-redundant avionics system enabling autonomous taxiing, takeoff, landing, and cruise operations.

The company also develops the Bayraktar AKINCI, which performs operations typically undertaken by fighter jets. This UAV carries electronic support systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar, and synthetic aperture radar. Its design allows both air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions to enhance operational versatility.

In unmanned combat aviation, Baykar Technologies offers the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, an unmanned fighter jet, and Bayraktar TB3, an armed UAV to take off and land on a short-runway vessel.

In addition, Baykar Technologies makes the Kemankeş, a mini intelligent cruise missile for integration with various UAV platforms, including the Bayraktar TB2, TB3, AKINCI, and KIZILELMA. The Kemankeş enhances the strike capabilities of these UAVs to offer a versatile solution for modern combat scenarios.

5. Airbus

• Founding Year: 1970
• Location: Blagnac Cedex, France
• Use For: Military Aircraft, Military Helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Systems

Airbus develops the Eurofighter Typhoon, a multi-role combat aircraft for agility and precision in military aviation. The A400M Atlas serves as an airlifter to transport heavy payloads and perform tactical missions like medical evacuation and aerial refueling.

For tactical transport, the C295 aircraft provides reliability and adaptability to support missions such as troop transport, maritime patrol, and surveillance. The A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) enhances air-to-air refueling capabilities, extending air forces’ operational reach.

Airbus offers military models for missions ranging from armed reconnaissance to special operations in the helicopter sector. In addition, it develops unmanned aerial systems like the Eurodrone, a medium-altitude, long-endurance platform for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

6. ASAX Innovation

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Viljandi, Estonia
• Use For: Transportation of Injured Soldiers

ASAX Innovation manufactures unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) to transport injured soldiers from the frontline. Its product ASAX H-1 operates via remote control to ensure safe evacuation in combat zones. It has a load capacity of 300 kg, a maximum speed of 12 km/h, and a range of 50–100 km on a single refuel.

The startup’s vehicle’s skid steering allows zero-radius turning for high maneuverability. Its internal combustion engine provides easy maintenance and reliability. The platform supports onboard and remote controls with user-friendly interfaces operable with one hand. ASAX Innovation improves battlefield medical evacuation efficiency and safety and reduces risks for injured soldiers and medical staff.

7. Nordic Air Defence

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Stockholm, Sweden
• Use For: Drone Interceptor Platform

​Nordic Air Defence introduces the Kreuger100, a dual-use drone interceptor platform to counter modern aerial threats. This patent-pending system replaces complex hardware with software solutions to achieve high airspeeds. It offers portability and cost-effectiveness, which makes advanced defense technology accessible to users.

The startup’s Kreuger100 serves military and civilian applications, including frontline defense, border protection, asset protection, shipping security, nuclear plant safeguarding, and airport safety.

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8. Harmattan AI

• Founding Year: 2024
• Location: Paris, France
• Use For: Autonomous & Scalable Defense Systems

Harmattan AI develops autonomous, scalable defense systems to enhance modern warfare capabilities. Its Gobi interceptor neutralizes hostile Group 1 and 2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by achieving speeds up to 65 meters per second and using a hit-to-kill approach, which minimizes collateral damage within a 5-kilometer range.

The startup’s Sahara system for situational awareness provides on-demand synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery by detecting camouflaged positions, underground features, and buried objects, even in adverse weather or nighttime conditions.

Lastly, its Thar camera system integrates a low-light electro-optical (EO) sensor with mechanical and optical zoom. It offers a field of view (FOV) ranging from 70° to 7° and an infrared (IR) camera with a 12° FOV and 640 x 320 pixel resolution. It ensures high-resolution imagery with stability to detect vehicles up to 9 kilometers away and operating in both day and night conditions.

9. EuroHeater

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Oslo, Norway
• Use For: Military Mobile Air Heaters

EuroHeater manufactures portable air heaters for military personnel and professionals working in extremely cold climates. Its product, Euroheater 4D Military, draws in cold external air and heats it using fuels such as diesel, kerosene, or F-34, powered by a 12V battery or 230V outlet.

The startup’s product offers features such as a heat output range of 1–4 kW, fuel consumption between 0.12–0.5 liters per hour, and an airflow rate of 78–168 m³ per hour. The unit operates in temperatures as low as -50°C and altitudes of up to 3,000 meters, with its compact, quiet design ensuring reliable performance in harsh environments.

10. Overwatch

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Wolverhampton, UK
• Use For: Uncrewed Systems and Payloads

Overwatch designs unmanned systems and payloads for the defense sector. Its aerospace division develops UAS for challenging operating environments. Its Pholos platform is a multi-mission tactical UAS that combines stealth, precision, and maneuverability. It supports missions including kinetic, intelligence, and humanitarian outcomes.

The startup also offers the Transwing UAS, a VTOL aircraft that combines the speed, range, and endurance of fixed-wing designs with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities to enable operations in remote locations without runways.

Its energetics division provides kinetic engineering solutions, including the HEX product family, which offers kinetic effects, high performance relative to size and mass, and platform-agnostic integration readiness. Overwatch enhances operational effectiveness while prioritizing operator safety and minimizing collateral damage.

11. DEFSENSE

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Use For: Military Training System

DEFSENSE develops synthetic training environments using immersive technology (XR) for military, law enforcement, and emergency corps. Its platform creates hyperrealistic scenarios, such as antiterrorism operations. Trainees perform tasks like room breaching in simulated office settings to neutralize threats and assist hostages.

During these experiences, the system captures real-time data, including spatial positioning, gaze direction, body movements, facial expressions, biofeedback, and voice analysis. This data collection enables analysis through deep learning models to facilitate real-time feedback, prediction of psychological disorders, and detection of behavioral patterns.

12. Hiraiwa

• Founding Year: 2024
• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Use For: Defensive Battlefield Solutions

Hiraiwa builds defensive systems for modern battlefields. Its Meshed Situational Awareness System (MESIS) operates as an independent, lightweight, auto-healing wireless ad hoc network (WANET). It uses grenade-sized, throw-and-forget nodes to detect, identify, locate, and track enemy and friendly battlefield activities, including UAV detection and troop movements. This system provides situational information to soldiers and command echelons.

Further, the startup offers the Battlefield UAV Suppression System (BUSS), a one-man portable counter-small unmanned aerial system (C-sUAS) platform. It detects and suppresses Class 1 and 2 UAVs to create a locally controlled safety dome to enhance survivability against UAS threats for dismounted troops.

13. Immediate Action

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Dublin, Ireland
• Use For: Defense Asset Protection

Immediate Action makes the ComPOL suite, a modular asset protection system designed to secure defense, critical infrastructure, and industrial sites. ComPOL integrates high-visibility on-site systems, including PTZ CCTV cameras, thermal imaging, LiDAR, radar, intercoms, and lighting deterrents, to enhance perimeter security, detect intrusions, and track assets in real time.

The startup’s ComPOL range includes multiple variants – ComPOL, a fixed system for permanent site protection, and ComPOL Lite, an adaptable solution for integration into existing infrastructure. Further, it offers ComPOL Mobile, a rapid-deployment watchtower with anti-climb protection for remote surveillance, and ComPOL Asset Tracking that utilizes RFID and UWB technologies to monitor assets and personnel.

Lastly, its ComPOL Command & Control software processes real-time data, automates decision-support alerts, and provides insights into security events. The system reduces breaches, enhances resource availability, and delivers detailed analytics on asset performance.

14. Wild Hornets

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
• Use For: FPV drones for Armed Forces

Wild Hornets manufactures first-person view (FPV) drones and communication systems to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine in combat operations. It produces 8- to 15-inch kamikaze, bomber, and reconnaissance drones to operate in electronic warfare (EW) environments.

The 8-inch and 10-inch Wild Hornets reach speeds of 160 km/h, strike targets up to 22 km away, and carry 1.5 kg and 3 kg of munitions. They function as kamikaze strike drones or bombers and feature night vision and resistance to enemy EW measures.

The 15-inch Queen Hornets carry 9.5 kg of bombs, lay mines, serve as kamikaze drones, or transport smaller Wild Hornets to extend their range to 30 km. In addition, Wild Hornets manufactures communication repeaters to minimize EW interference and supplies control and video signal communication systems to combat units.

15. Crown Cyber Defence

• Founding Year: 2023
• Location: Helsinki, Finland
• Use For: Advanced Electromagnetic Systems

Crown Cyber Defence develops electromagnetic weapon systems and AI-enhanced counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) technology to enhance defense capabilities. Its Quantum Magnetic Electron (QME) technology improves electromagnetic weapon precision, range, and adaptability to provide solutions for global defense applications.

The startup’s ISQU C-UAS system, powered by AI and QME technology, integrates with battle management and command-and-control (C2) systems to ensure real-time threat detection and mitigation.

Its modular open-systems approach enables the integration of all-domain sensors for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting (ISRT), extending reach beyond legacy electromagnetic warfare systems.

Discover All Emerging Military Tech Startups

The Military Tech startups showcased in this report are only a small sample of all startups we identified through our data-driven startup scouting approach. Download our free Military Tech Innovation Report for a broad overview of the industry or get in touch for quick & exhaustive research on the latest technologies & emerging solutions that will impact your company in 2025!