Europe is just a few years away from deploying uncrewed fighter jets, according to Helsing, the continent’s most valuable defense start-up. After completing two AI-guided test flights of a Swedish-made Gripen E jet over the Baltic Sea in May and June, Helsing executives say their Centaur artificial intelligence software is nearly ready for real-world operations.

Stephanie Lingemann, head of Helsing’s air division, called the results “revolutionary,” noting the AI system accrued the equivalent of one million flight hours in just 72 hours—vastly exceeding a human pilot’s lifetime capacity. “You can get to superhuman performance very quickly, react to new circumstances, and you are not having to send your pilots into dangerous situations,” she said.

The breakthrough marks a turning point in European defense, as militaries seek alternatives to manned combat platforms. While the immediate future will likely see mixed use—pilots assisted by AI software—Lingemann believes full autonomy is on the horizon. “We expect it this decade,” she said.

Helsing’s vision aligns with broader trends. The U.S., Russia, and China are all investing in "loyal wingmen" drone programs to fly alongside traditional jets. Colonel Kevin Anderson of NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre described the shift as a “paradigm change in air combat.”

Helsing's Rise in a Rearming Europe

Founded just four years ago, Helsing has rapidly become a centerpiece of Europe’s defense tech revival. Its valuation soared to €12 billion in June following a €600 million funding round led by Spotify founder Daniel Ek’s investment firm. The company has expanded into drone and underwater systems production, with offices in London, Paris, Berlin, and Munich.

Driven by the war in Ukraine and reduced U.S. defense guarantees, European states have aggressively ramped up spending on local defense industries. Helsing, with its pan-European identity, now plays a key role in that strategy.

Despite its technological ambition, Helsing draws limits around the use of AI in lethal operations. Antoine Bordes, vice president for AI, emphasized that humans remain central to decision-making. “If we don’t do it in Europe, with our own values, it will be done elsewhere,” he warned.

Simon Brünjes, head of Helsing’s drone division, echoed that sentiment, noting the ethical challenges of autonomous weapons in dense civilian environments like Ukraine. “In such an environment, we want a human to be making the decision,” he said, though he acknowledged that scenarios involving full-scale war with Russia or China might raise different considerations.

Feedback from the Front

Helsing’s drone systems are already being tested in Ukraine. Its HF-1 “kamikaze” drone has drawn mixed reviews from Ukrainian troops due to limitations in performance and cost. However, Helsing is optimistic about the HF-1’s successor, the HX-2, which is currently undergoing field trials.

With agreements in place to supply 10,000 drones to Kyiv, Helsing is now both a symbol of Europe’s AI-powered future—and a target for critics questioning the speed and scope of autonomous warfare.