STARK Plans Full-Cycle UAV Manufacturing in Ukraine After Launching Research Hub

European defense technology company STARK is expanding its footprint in Ukraine with the launch of a new research and development (R&D) hub that could accelerate the delivery of advanced unmanned systems to the battlefield, according to the company’s press release, shared with UNITED24 Media on February 13.

The company announced ahead of the Munich Security Conference that the Kyiv-based facility will provide local training, engineering support, and continuous collaboration with frontline users.

The site will span roughly 2,000 square meters and is expected to support more than 200 specialists, focusing on research, integration, operator training, and technical maintenance.

STARK specializes in next-generation unmanned weapon systems, including its Virtus loitering munition, which has been refined using operational feedback from military personnel across Europe and Ukraine. By situating development inside Ukraine, the company aims to conduct daily technology iterations based on real battlefield data, shortening the time between design updates and deployment while ensuring systems remain aligned with frontline needs.

“Russia’s war against Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped Europe’s security landscape,” said STARK Ukraine Chief Operating Officer Maksym Cherkis. “Deterrence now depends not only on military capability, but also on the ability to sustain stable production.”

The company views Ukraine as a long-term partner in building a new European defense architecture and plans to expand from research and engineering toward full-cycle UAV manufacturing inside the country. STARK is also opening an additional office in Greece, reinforcing its ambition to operate as a pan-European defense manufacturer.

“STARK is becoming a key pillar in Europe’s defense by developing local R&D and production across the continent,” said Chief Executive Officer Uwe Horstmann. “By leveraging innovation from the frontline, we can produce proven systems at speed and keep them relevant as operational demands evolve.”

Company background and capabilities

Founded in 2024, STARK has rapidly emerged as one of Europe’s fastest-growing defense technology firms and is now valued at more than €1 billion. Headquartered in Berlin, the company maintains offices in Germany, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Ukraine, and employs roughly 400 personnel.

STARK has raised $100 million in funding, backed by investors including Project A, the NATO Innovation Fund, and Sequoia Capital. CEO Uwe Horstmann is a prominent figure in Germany’s defense-tech ecosystem and has supported multiple emerging military technology companies through venture investments.

The company develops unmanned systems for air, sea, and land operations, all built on a unified software architecture known as Minerva. The platform is designed to support distributed, multi-domain operations aligned with US and NATO doctrine, enabling networked autonomous systems to extend operational reach while reducing risk to personnel.

Read more

Category

Latest news

A Nightmare for Russian Armor: Ukraine-Used Drone Proves Massive Penetration as NATO Scales Up Production

Dec 24, 2025 14:35

Among STARK’s flagship products:

• Virtus loitering munition
  A vertical-takeoff strike drone with a range of 120 km, endurance of up to 60 minutes, and payload capacity of 5 kg, capable of precision engagements without requiring a launch system.

• Minerva command-and-control software
  Enables coordinated control of drone swarms and is designed to function in GNSS-denied or degraded environments, supporting complex “hunter-killer” mission profiles already demonstrated in Ukraine.

• Vanta unmanned surface vessel
  Built for maritime reconnaissance and strike missions, with ongoing integration of tube-launched loitering munitions demonstrated during NATO exercises.

• Advanced warheads
  STARK has invested in German-manufactured warheads from TDW (MBDA Germany), including the Lion Strike 110, which has demonstrated penetration of 800 mm of rolled armored steel, while also integrating Ukrainian-produced warhead technology.

Growing defense investment

Germany’s federal government has approved €300 million in funding for the procurement of STARK loitering munitions as part of a broader expansion in defense spending, underscoring rising European demand for autonomous strike capabilities shaped by Ukraine’s battlefield experience.

With production, research, and real-time combat adaptation increasingly centered in Ukraine, STARK’s expansion highlights how the war is transforming the country into a core hub of European military innovation.

Earlier, reports emerged that Ukrainian arms producers received the first wartime licenses to export their goods abroad, in a policy shift aimed at bringing in investment and expanding domestic weapons production.

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW