When the European start-up Helsing, a specialist in artificial intelligence (AI) embedded in military equipment, launched in 2021 thanks to a 100 million euro investment from the founder of Spotify, Daniel Ek, its leaders probably did not expect such rapid development. The war in Ukraine changed the situation for the young company which has been working for the armed forces of kyiv for two years, unveiled, Monday, December 2, a “major step in its mission to strengthen the security of democracies” : a strike drone « intelligent » and mass produced, a decisive element in high-intensity conflicts where material attrition is considerable.
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The German daily Bild revealed the information in mid-November, with the headline “4,000 German killer drones against Putin”. Chancellor Olaf Scholz was then criticized for refusing the delivery of long-range Taurus missiles which would have allowed the Ukrainians to strike deep into Russian territory. The delivery of these drones called “HX-2” are not « mini-Taurus »then clarified the Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius, but still “an important additional asset for the Ukrainian armed forces”,began and will last until spring 2025 – crucial help at a time when the Ukrainians are struggling to contain the Russians in Donbass.
This “extremely precise ammunition” has a maximum range of 100 kilometers, specifies Antoine de Braquilanges, general manager of Helsing France. With the support of a reconnaissance drone capable of identifying targets (command post, logistics node, armored vehicles, etc.), its main strength is to be able to operate even in the event of signal jamming, used systematically in Ukraine, and to operate in spaces without communication thanks to its AI software.
“An important moment for European defense”
Long discreet about the presence of Helsing in Ukraine, now official, its leaders explain that the capabilities of the HX-2 have been “developed and tested thanks to [son] experience ” in this theater of operations. This is equipment subject to “very short innovation cycles, three to four weeks”underlines Marc Fontaine, former head of digital deployment at Airbus and president of the French subsidiary.
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In addition, the vector and embedded software were designed to be manufactured in large quantities, on Ukrainian soil and in other European countries. “Our ambition is to produce up to several thousand per month”indicates Mr. de Braquilanges, who welcomes a new paradigm which no longer opposes high technology and mass production. Although he refuses to disclose the precise price, he is aiming for a lower cost than its equivalent, the formidable Russian Lancet.
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