ARX Robotics' €31M Series A Signals a New Era in European Defense Tech
The defense technology sector is undergoing a quiet revolution, and Munich-based arx Robotics is at its vanguard. The company’s recent €31 million Series A funding round, announced in 2025, has positioned it as a pivotal player in Europe’s push for strategic autonomy. Backed by a mix of financial and strategic investors—including HV Capital, the NATO Innovation Fund, and Daimler Truck’s corporate venture arm—ARX is leveraging this capital to scale production, advance AI-driven military systems, and redefine Europe’s defense landscape.
A Strategic Funding Milestone
The Series A round, which brings ARX’s total raised capital to over €40 million, reflects investor confidence in its mission to modernize land warfare. The funding is earmarked for three primary goals: quintupling production capacity by 2025, expanding its AI operating system (ARX Mithra OS) capabilities, and deepening market penetration across Europe. Notably, the NATO Innovation Fund’s participation underscores the geopolitical significance of ARX’s work. As Europe seeks to reduce reliance on non-European defense systems, ARX’s focus on retrofitting existing NATO vehicles with autonomous technology aligns with Brussels’ vision of a sovereign defense ecosystem.
The Technology Driving Growth
At the core of ARX’s value proposition is its proprietary ARX Mithra OS, an AI-powered platform that transforms legacy military vehicles into autonomous, networked units. This system enables features like autonomous navigation, real-time threat analysis, and swarm coordination across land, air, and sea domains. By targeting the under-automated land operations segment—accounting for 80% of global military activity—ARX is addressing a critical gap in modern warfare.
The OS’s versatility is exemplified by its deployment in Ukraine, where 30 of ARX’s Gereon Remote Control System (RCS) vehicles have been operational since late 2024. These unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have been used for logistics, reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation in high-risk zones, proving their combat readiness in real-world conditions.
Scaling Production and Partnerships
To meet surging demand, ARX is expanding its manufacturing footprint. A new UK facility in southwest England will produce up to 1,800 vehicles annually by 2025, complementing its Munich headquarters. The company’s partnership with Daimler Truck represents another strategic win. By integrating Mithra OS into Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks (e.g., Unimog and Zetros models), ARX is enabling rapid modernization of existing fleets—a critical advantage in Europe’s fragmented defense procurement landscape.
Geopolitical Context and Market Potential
ARX’s rise is inseparable from Europe’s broader defense ambitions. The EU’s goal of achieving 2% GDP spending on defense by 2030, coupled with NATO’s push for sovereign tech solutions, has created a tailwind for companies like ARX. Its ability to retrofit over 50,000 NATO vehicles with its OS—without reliance on non-European supply chains—positions it as a cornerstone of the bloc’s resilience.
The company’s contracts with six European militaries by 2025, plus testing in Switzerland and Hungary, signal a path to pan-European dominance. Meanwhile, dual-use applications—such as disaster relief and search-and-rescue missions—expand its market beyond defense, appealing to both governments and commercial entities.
Investor and Leadership Vision
CEO Marc Wietfeld has framed the Series A as a transition from “successful deployments to industrial scale.” This ambition is backed by investors like HV Capital’s Fabian Gruner, who praised ARX’s ability to “prove Europe’s capacity to innovate in AI-native defense systems.” The NATO Innovation Fund’s Chris O’Connor echoed this, emphasizing ARX’s role in accelerating “European military modernization at a time of unprecedented geopolitical tension.”
Conclusion: A Strategic Bet on European Defense Sovereignty
ARX Robotics’ €31 million Series A is more than a funding event—it’s a marker of Europe’s growing confidence in its defense tech capabilities. With production capacity set to quintuple, partnerships with industry giants like Daimler, and a proven track record in Ukraine, ARX is well-positioned to capitalize on a €180 billion global UGV market expected to grow at a 12.6% CAGR through 2030 (per MarketsandMarkets).
Crucially, the company’s focus on retrofitting existing hardware—rather than building entirely new systems—reduces costs and accelerates adoption. As European militaries prioritize affordability and interoperability, ARX’s modular approach offers a scalable solution. With €40 million in the bank and a supply chain entirely within Europe, the company is not just building technology—it’s fortifying the continent’s strategic autonomy. For investors, this is a bet on a future where Europe’s defense is as sovereign as its economic ambitions.