Context · Private capital · Germany
Quantum Systems raises €1bn Series D at ~€7bn; Stark €500m Series C; Helsing ~$1.2bn — European defence-tech capital, summer 2026
— · published 02 Jul 2026 · ✓ analyst reviewed · Source ↗
Deadline—
Budget / value€1.00bn
Statusopen
Why it matters
The capital is concentrating in drone/autonomy scale-ups that are also winning government contracts — for suppliers, these companies are now buyers; for founders, they are the comparables investors will use.
Summary
Quantum Systems closed a €1bn Series D at ~€7bn (2 July 2026; Blackstone/Airbus/Advent/Noteus; €700m 2026 revenue target). Stark raised €500m Series C at >€3.5bn (23 June; Sequoia/Founders Fund/NIF); Helsing ~$1.2bn at $18bn (May, in progress). Other H1 rounds: ICEYE €450m; Harmattan AI $200m; Sensofusion €45m; TYTAN €30m; Frankenburg €30m; Hypersonica €23m; Orqa €12.7m.
Related
Funding call
UKDI
· UK
· deadline 17 Sep 2026 (31d)
· €702k
Dstl is seeding low-TRL autonomy ideas with small, fast contracts and a signalled £600k Phase 2 follow-on, a low-barrier entry point into UK MOD autonomy work. Relevant to autonomy/robotics research teams and university-linked startups; note Stage 1 has already closed, so only invited applicants can now submit. Do: If invited at Stage 1, submit your Stage 2 proposal via the UKDI Online Submission Service before midday 17 September 2026; otherwise watch for the Phase 2 competition and the Dstl Autonomy Programme Incubator's next call.
Award
· Poland
· €17.5m
Continued build-out of Poland's main MALE UAV base (Mirosławiec) includes purpose-built hangars and hardened ground control station shelters, indicating sustained infrastructure spend around unmanned aviation. Relevant to construction subcontractors and to suppliers of GCS shelters, power/generator sets and airfield electrical/telecom systems in Poland. Do: Contact DUNA Polska S.A. and LOGON S.A. as subcontractor for hangar structures, shelter systems, MV/LV power and airfield telecom works at Mirosławiec.
Tender
· Sweden
· deadline 14 Sep 2026 (28d)
· €704k
Upphandlingen avser leda fram till ett ramavtal med en leverantör för att säkerställa effektiv och pålitlig tillgång till modern och framtidssäkrad UAS-förmåga. Behovet omfattar båda anskaffning av kompletterande enheter…
Award
· Spain
· €960k
De conformidad con el apartado 2 del CCP.
Award
· Portugal
· €4.5m
A mid-size civil/dual-use underwater robotics buy in an Atlantic region, won by a Spanish integrator rather than a Portuguese or northern-European ROV house — a reference point for UUV/ROV makers on who is winning Iberian research-vessel work. Relevant to ROV/UUV builders and subsea sensor, tether, manipulator and control-software suppliers. Do: If you supply subsea sensors, manipulators, tethers or ROV control software, approach OMIL & GONZALEZ SL as integrator for the Azores research-vessel ROV module build.
Context
UKDI
· UK
· deadline 27 Aug 2026 (10d)
UKDI is the main low-barrier UK entry point for single-company defence innovation funding, and the Defence-side route is being rebuilt after the Defence Investment Plan — meaning the Security Open Call is currently the only broad open door. Relevant to autonomy, space, sensing and security-tech scale-ups and SMEs able to bid alone without a consortium. Do: Submit to the Security Open Call 2026 Cycle 1 by 27 August 2026 or Innovation Support to Operations Cycle 8 by 22 September 2026 via the UKDI portal, and email accelerator@dstl.gov.uk for scope clarification; contact the UKDI Help Centre about Defence Innovation Loans while cycles are paused.
Source: https://quantum-systems.com/news/quantum-systems-raises-1-2bn-series-d-to-accelerate-growth-and-scale-software-defined-autonomous-systems-across-air-land-and-sea/ — summarised by Rearm Radar; verify details at source before bidding. Enrichment: analyst (confidence 95%).