European defence technology company STARK expands its presence in Ukraine: Kyiv may receive advanced unmanned systems

The European defence technology company STARK opens an R&D hub in Ukraine that will provide local training and constant support for endusers. The announcement was made by the company ahead of the Munich Security Conference.

STARK specialises in the development and refinement of unmanned weapon systems, including Virtus loitering munitions, based on feedback from military operators in Europe and Ukraine. The company’s Ukrainian R&D hub will include a dedicated site covering 2,000 square metres, designed to support more than 200 specialists. The centre will focus on research and development, integration, training and technical support. Its operations will significantly reduce the time required to move systems from design into production.

The launch of the R&D hub in Ukraine will enable the company to conduct daily technology iterations based on real operational battlefield data. This approach significantly shortens development and update deployment cycles while ensuring UAV systems remain aligned with frontline operational requirements.

“russia’s war against Ukraine has fundamentally reshaped Europe’s security landscape. russia has reorganised its defence industry for wartime needs, and this conflict has demonstrated that deterrence now depends not only on military capability, but also on the ability to sustain stable production,” added STARK Ukraine COO Maksym Cherkis.

STARK views Ukraine as a partner in shaping the new European security and defence architecture and plans to further expand its research and engineering presence in the country — from R&D through to full-cycle UAV manufacturing.

In addition, STARK is opening a new office in Greece, reinforcing its position as a pan-European defence manufacturer with operations spanning the continent.

“STARK is becoming a key pillar and partner in the defence of Europe, developing local defence-tech R&D and production across the continent. By leveraging innovation from the frontline and across Europe, we are helping ensure that proven systems can be produced at speed and kept relevant as operational needs evolve,” said STARK CEO Uwe Horstmann.

About STARK

STARK, valued at over €1 billion, is Europe’s fastest-growing defence technology company. It was founded in 2024 in response to the operational demands of modern warfare.

STARK specialises in next-generation unmanned systems that combine artificial intelligence, software-defined architecture and resilience to electronic warfare. The company operates across Germany, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, with its headquarters in Berlin.