Berlin's STARK Secures New NATO Contract for Drones
Virtus is a unique, electrically-powered Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) system. © STARK
Berlin defense technology company STARK has landed a significant contract to supply loitering munition to a European NATO member state, according to a report in ES&T magazine. The deal, finalized in early February 2026, marks the company's entry into another market and reinforces its growing presence as a provider of unmanned systems across Europe.
STARK plans to begin deliveries this month, with full completion scheduled by the end of August 2026. The compressed timeline reflects what Chief Sales Officer Jan-Patrick Helmsen describes as critical factors in modern defense procurement: speed, reliability, and a realistic understanding of operational conditions.
The announcement comes shortly after STARK opened a new facility in Stockholm, making it the first German defense tech firm to establish operations in Sweden. The Nordic location will focus on electronic warfare technologies, leveraging Sweden's expertise in radio technology, secure communications, and software development to enhance navigation and control systems for unmanned platforms.
STARK's expansion builds on partnerships with armed forces in Germany, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom, where the company is progressively establishing production capacity. The Stockholm office supports closer collaboration between Germany and Sweden agreed upon in 2025, and extends STARK's cooperation with NATO states into the Nordic region.
Founded to address specific military needs, the Berlin-headquartered company develops AI-powered, software-based scalable unmanned systems. After substantial growth in 2025 that significantly increased its workforce, STARK now operates across four countries, positioning itself strategically in Northern Europe's defense technology landscape.
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