STARK
STARK is a German defence-technology company developing unmanned aerial and maritime systems, loitering munitions, and mission-control software.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
STARK, trading through SKD SE, is a German defence-technology company focused on unmanned systems operating across aerial, maritime, and software domains. Its activities centre on loitering munitions, reconnaissance and strike platforms, command-and-control interfaces, and data links intended for contested operating environments. The company has positioned itself around the rapid development and deployment of relatively low-cost autonomous and semi-autonomous systems for European armed forces and other NATO-aligned customers. The company was established in 2024 by a group of German technologists and entrepreneurs, including Florian Seibel, Uwe Horstmann, and Johannes Schaback. Its creation was linked to operational lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, particularly the demand for expendable precision-strike systems, resilient communications, rapid production, and the integration of reconnaissance with effects on the battlefield. Rather than presenting itself solely as a conventional airframe manufacturer, STARK combines vehicles with software and mission-management capabilities. STARK's principal reported weapon system is the OWE-V Virtus, an electrically powered vertical-take-off-and-landing loitering munition. The system is described as capable of cruising at approximately 120 km/h, reaching dive speeds of up to 250 km/h, carrying a 5 kg warhead, and remaining airborne for about 60 minutes. It is intended to launch from fixed or mobile platforms without dedicated launch infrastructure. The company has also developed Minerva, a mission-control and precision-strike suite designed to coordinate effects when satellite navigation or data links are degraded or unavailable. The software is described as compatible with existing battle-management systems and capable of coordinating temporally and spatially synchronized groups of strike platforms. The company's maritime portfolio includes the Vanta-4 and Vanta-6 unmanned surface vessels, intended for reconnaissance and strike missions in open-water environments. STARK also develops custom unmanned aerial and surface vehicles for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision engagement roles. This broader portfolio reflects an effort to supply complete operational systems rather than isolated drones: platforms, sensors, communications, mission software, and interfaces are treated as parts of one networked capability. During 2025, STARK reported or was reported to have expanded production and military engagement. It opened a production facility in Munich and announced plans for a 40,000-square-foot factory in Swindon, United Kingdom. Its systems were associated with trials and procurement activity involving the German Bundeswehr, British and German militaries, NATO states, and operations or testing connected with Ukraine. Reports also described a coordinated reconnaissance-and-strike mission in Ukraine using STARK platforms and a potential German procurement programme for large numbers of loitering munitions. The company's rapid development has also attracted scrutiny. In trials reported in October 2025, none of four Virtus strike attempts in British and German military testing hit their intended targets. One German test drone reportedly lost control and crashed into a forest, while a drone in Kenya was reported to have suffered a battery fire after impact. STARK characterized such incidents as part of an iterative development process and said that it had experienced numerous crashes during testing. These reports illustrate both the opportunity and the technical risk inherent in accelerating unmanned-weapons development from prototype to military procurement. STARK remains a private defence company in the available reference material. Its public identity is primarily associated with European defence autonomy, rapid manufacturing, loitering munitions, and software-enabled unmanned warfare. Information about its precise ownership, long-term corporate structure, current leadership beyond its reported founders, and official website is not established in the supplied sources.
History
STARK was founded in Germany in 2024 by technologists and entrepreneurs including Florian Seibel, Uwe Horstmann, and Johannes Schaback. The company emerged during a period in which European armed forces were reassessing the importance of unmanned systems, expendable precision weapons, resilient communications, and rapid defence production. The war in Ukraine provided a prominent operational context for these requirements and influenced STARK's emphasis on systems that could connect reconnaissance, targeting, and strike functions. In early 2025, STARK introduced the OWE-V Virtus loitering munition and the Minerva mission-control suite. Virtus is described as an electrically powered VTOL system capable of approximately 60 minutes of endurance, a cruising speed of about 120 km/h, and a maximum dive speed of up to 250 km/h while carrying a 5 kg warhead. Its stated ability to operate from static or mobile launch positions without additional infrastructure is intended to simplify field deployment. Minerva provides the software layer for mission planning and strike coordination, including operations in environments where GNSS or data links may be unreliable. STARK's development strategy extends beyond a single drone. Its product family includes Vanta-4 and Vanta-6 unmanned surface vessels, as well as custom UAVs and USVs for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision engagement. The company also develops command-and-control interfaces and proprietary datalinks. This integrated approach seeks to make the brand a provider of networked unmanned capabilities rather than merely an airframe supplier. The company expanded its industrial footprint during 2025 by opening a Munich production facility and announcing a planned 40,000-square-foot factory in Swindon, England. Its products were connected with military trials and procurement discussions involving Germany, the United Kingdom, NATO states, and Ukraine. Reports also described a Ukrainian reconnaissance-and-strike mission using STARK platforms and potential German orders for loitering munitions and associated systems. Testing results brought both attention and criticism. In trials reported in October 2025, four Virtus strike attempts conducted with British and German militaries reportedly failed to hit their targets. One drone in Germany reportedly lost control and crashed into a forest, while another tested in Kenya was reported to have suffered a battery fire after impact. STARK defended the incidents as part of an iterative testing programme and emphasized that repeated crashes can occur during development of autonomous systems. The episode highlighted the tension between rapid battlefield-driven procurement and the reliability standards expected of military equipment. By late 2025, STARK was reported as one of several companies considered for a German programme involving thousands of loitering munitions. The available material does not establish the final contractual terms, ownership structure, official website, or a complete list of current executives. Accordingly, STARK's documented profile is strongest in relation to its products, founding team, production expansion, and reported defence activity.
- 2025
OWE-V Virtus and Minerva are introduced
[1]STARK launches its flagship loitering munition and mission-control software suite.
- 2025
Munich production facility opens
[1]STARK expands German manufacturing capacity with a facility in Munich.
- 2025
Swindon manufacturing expansion is announced
[1]The company announces plans for a 40,000-square-foot factory in the United Kingdom.
- 2025
Military trials and procurement activity increase
[1]STARK systems are associated with trials involving British and German forces and with reported German procurement planning for loitering munitions.
- 2024
STARK is established in Germany
[1]The defence-technology company is founded by German technologists and entrepreneurs including Florian Seibel, Uwe Horstmann, and Johannes Schaback.
Products and positioning
A European defence-technology company focused on rapidly deployable, networked unmanned systems and loitering munitions for contested and degraded communications environments.
Loitering munition · 2025
OWE-V Virtus
The OWE-V Virtus is an electrically powered vertical-take-off-and-landing loitering munition. Reported specifications include a cruising speed of about 120 km/h, a dive speed of up to 250 km/h, approximately 60 minutes of endurance, and a 5 kg warhead. It is designed for launch from fixed or mobile platforms without additional infrastructure and for precision engagement of ground or strategic targets.
Mission-control and precision-strike software · 2025
Minerva
Minerva is STARK's mission-control suite for coordinating reconnaissance and precision-strike operations. It is intended to integrate with existing battle-management systems and support operations in GNSS-denied or data-link-degraded conditions. The suite is also described as capable of coordinating strike swarms with timing and location synchronized across multiple platforms.
Unmanned surface vessel
Vanta-4
Vanta-4 is an unmanned surface vessel in STARK's maritime portfolio. It is intended for open-water reconnaissance and strike missions, complementing the company's aerial systems and broader networked command-and-control architecture.
Unmanned surface vessel
Vanta-6
Vanta-6 is a larger or otherwise distinct unmanned surface vessel offering in STARK's maritime systems range. The platform is described for reconnaissance and strike applications in open-water environments.
Unmanned reconnaissance and strike platforms
Custom UAV and USV systems
STARK develops customized unmanned aerial and surface vehicles for reconnaissance, surveillance, and precision engagement. These platforms are supported by the company's proprietary datalinks, command interfaces, and mission-management software.
Controversies
2025
Virtus test failures and safety incidents
Reporting on British and German military trials stated that four Virtus strike attempts failed to hit their targets. One drone reportedly crashed after losing control in Germany, and another reportedly experienced a battery fire after impact in Kenya. STARK said such failures were part of its development and testing process.
Brand decisions
2025
Launch of the Virtus and Minerva product familyProduct launchBackground
European military demand was increasing for loitering munitions, resilient unmanned systems, and software able to operate in disrupted communications environments.
Action taken
STARK introduced the OWE-V Virtus loitering munition and Minerva mission-control suite.
Aftermath
The products became the core of STARK's reported military trials and procurement activity.
2025
Expansion of European productionStrategyBackground
STARK sought to scale production for anticipated European defence demand.
Action taken
The company opened a Munich facility and announced a planned 40,000-square-foot factory in Swindon, United Kingdom.
Aftermath
The expansion increased STARK's stated manufacturing presence in Germany and the United Kingdom.
Recent events
- 2025
STARK launches the OWE-V Virtus and Minerva systems[1]
Product launch
STARK introduced the OWE-V Virtus loitering munition and the Minerva mission-control suite as its initial flagship products.
- 2025
STARK opens a production facility in Munich[1]
Other
The company expanded manufacturing capacity in Germany with a new Munich production facility.
- 2025
STARK announces a planned Swindon factory[1]
Other
STARK announced plans for a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Swindon, United Kingdom.
- 2025
STARK systems are reported in a Ukrainian reconnaissance-and-strike mission[1]
Other
The company was reported to have conducted a coordinated reconnaissance-and-precision-strike mission in Ukraine using its unmanned systems.
- 2025
Germany plans large-scale loitering-munition procurement[1]
Product launch · Other
Reports said Germany planned contracts involving STARK, Helsing, and Rheinmetall for up to 12,000 kamikaze drones in total, with STARK expected to receive a share of the programme.
- 2022
Stark announces proposed acquisition of a Leoni subsidiary[2]
M&A
Stark announced plans to acquire a subsidiary of German cable manufacturer Leoni AG as part of its expansion and fundraising strategy.
- 2022
Stark withdraws from proposed Leoni acquisition[2]
M&A · Other
The planned acquisition was abandoned, contributing to investor concerns and a sharp decline in Stark’s share price.
Sources4 sources
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