Grundbert Scherf, co‑founder of the Munich start‑up Helsing, argues that the NATO eastern flank should be protected largely with European weapons systems rather than those from the United States. “We’ve had enough wake‑up calls” Scherf told “Der Spiegel”. “On the eastern flank we need to be able to act militarily – as far as possible – purely as a European”. The company, which among other products makes so‑called “lurking ammunition” or kamikaze drones, is central to this vision.
To make that goal a reality, Scherf says the government must start ordering more arms in Europe immediately and work to reform EU procurement rules “as soon as possible”. “It’s absurd that it’s often easier to buy a U.S. product than a European one” he noted. Scherf had served as a special adviser for more efficient procurement at the defense procurement office under Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) from 2014 for two years.
For its initial stockpile of kamikaze drones, the German armed forces are looking at Helsing’s current HX‑2 model. Parliamentary approval is still required. When asked about the broad criticism of AI‑assisted weapon systems, Scherf stressed that he takes ethical concerns seriously. Many of his own employees come from outside the defense sector and want to be able to stand morally behind the products they help build. “We’re not building autonomous killer machines” he said. “No machine makes decisions for us”.
According to Scherf, the AI in Helsing’s system automates only reconnaissance. Soldiers no longer have to evaluate footage frame by frame, freeing up time for human decision‑making. “Better reconnaissance can deliver more precise strikes than human operators working under pressure” he added. “Classic artillery, in contrast, essentially fires blindly”.