Presented by NATO DIANA:
BLUF:
European armies are starting to adopt legged robots for specialized assignments, such as breaching operations. Humanoid robots are further behind, but European primes are expressing interest in startups working on them.
Manufacturers of legged robots want to improve speed on rough terrain and autonomous capabilities. While basic patrols can be automated, the robots are usually teleoperated for more complex tasks, such as searching a building for hazards.
Belgian’s FN Herstal has unveiled its first new assault rifle in over 20 years, the ARKA, a hybrid of the FN SCAR and the patent-free AR-15.
An FN weapons trainer told The Arsenal that incorporating AR-15 features will make adoption easier for soldiers accustomed to the widely-used design.
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A message from NATO DIANA: NATO seeks solutions for six new challenges to strengthen the Alliance
NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) is seeking groundbreaking solutions from across the Alliance that can tackle one of its security and defence challenges.
The 2027 Challenge Call covers six priorities aligned to NATO's most pressing technology needs.
Human Survivability — sustaining personnel when evacuation and care are denied
Multidomain Autonomy — uncrewed systems that collaborate across all domains
Sensing & ISR — cutting through congestion, interference, and deception
Operational Resilience — maintaining freedom of action under EW, cyber, and GNSS denial
Responsive Logistics — supply chains built for disruption
Air Defence Countermeasures — scalable responses to drone and loitering munition saturation
To explore each challenge in more detail, including examples and tips on applying, watch DIANA’s webinar on challenges and selection criteria here.
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Frank Dirksen has joined German drone unicorn Helsing as its chief commercial officer. He previously led Rheinmetall’s South African subsidiaries, and spent 15 years in the German Luftwaffe.
Nicola Oprecht has joined European drone firm Destinus as head of rocket artillery and ballistics in Zurich. He was previously innovation and technology manager at Rheinmetall.
Elwin Sirieys has been appointed program manager for the Themis T1E, a demonstrator for Europe’s first reusable space rocket, at ArianeGroup. He was previously an assistant to the CEO.
Eness Ciobanu has joined consulting firm C&V Defence as a project support for EU affairs in Brussels. He was previously an academic assistant at the College of Europe.
A message from NATO DIANA: What is NATO DIANA?
DRIM DRONES is a UK-based defense technology company developing DRIM ZOMBIE—a low-cost counter-UAS system designed for GPS- and RF-contested environments.
Instead of destroying hostile drones with expensive missiles, our system uses a standard FPV interceptor drone to deliver a harpoon-equipped electronic payload that attaches to the target, takes control of its navigation, and redirects it to a safe location."
We are currently raising £500,000 (€578,000) in pre-seed funding to advance the technology from TRL3 to TRL4, complete prototype development, conduct field testing, and validate the system with defense partners.
“Defending against a $20,000 drone with a $1 million missile is not sustainable. We are building a new generation of low-cost counter-UAS technology that gives operators more options while preserving expensive air defense assets,” said Vlad, lead engineer of DRIM DRONES.
Are you a European defense tech startup that’s trying to raise capital?
We’d like to hear from you. Send us your 30-second elevator pitch explaining what you do, how much you’re trying to raise and what for—along with a few remarks from a senior member of your team—and we’ll consider it for a free slot in our next newsletter. We do this as a service for our community of readers.
Send your pitch to [email protected].
The Arsenal offers consulting and custom research services. Need talented experts on the ground to answer a due diligence or business question? We’ve got you covered! Email us here!
British Defense Secretary John Healey has been in a months-long row with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves over the cost of the delayed Defense Investment Plan, The Times reports.
The Future Combat Air System—a strained Franco-German project to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft—is officially dead, after Berlin notified Paris of its wish to withdraw, The Financial Times reports.
A French Air Force Dassault Rafale fighter jet shot down a drone in Latvian airspace on Monday, Reuters reports. The Latvian army did not say whether the drone was Russian or Ukrainian, but said it crossed the border due to “Russian electromagnetic warfare.”
