Stark Defence Plans Uncrewed Warship Launch
Berlin-based startup Stark Defence says it will launch a 24-meter uncrewed surface vessel next year.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Startups
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Stark Defence, a Berlin-based German startup formed in 2024 to make strike drones, announced its Vanta 24 uncrewed surface vessel at Bloomberg Tech London on Tuesday. The company plans to develop the vessel in the UK and Germany and launch it next year.
Why it matters
European officials are increasingly alarmed by Russia's hybrid warfare campaign, including cyberattacks, drone incursions and suspected sabotage of key infrastructure. The Vanta 24 is designed to address a potential new battleground in the Baltic and North seas.
Stark's valuation reached €3.2 billion ($3.6 billion) in June following a €500 million round co-led by Founders Fund, and the company has grown to more than 700 employees. Performance claims for the Vanta 24 have not been independently verified.
The players
Stark Defence
A Berlin-based German startup that makes strike drones and is developing the Vanta 24 uncrewed vessel.
Stephen Brian
A former nuclear submarine commander for the British Royal Navy who was hired by Stark to run its naval operations.
The details
The Vanta 24 can carry up to 50 metric tons, including weapons such as missiles and cannons, and Stark's software platform is designed to let unmanned drones and vessels communicate and potentially link with weapons from competing suppliers. Stark also developes an electronic warfare sensor that can detect transmitters and radars up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) away.
Timeline
Stark Defence was formed in 2024 to make strike drones.
In June, Stark reached a valuation of €3.2 billion.
The Vanta 24 was announced Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at Bloomberg Tech London.
The Vanta 24 is planned to launch next year.
Market Landscape
Stark is entering a defense market where demand for autonomous systems is rising as European governments respond to Russian hybrid threats. The company's valuation and rapid hiring place it among a growing set of drone startups competing for military contracts.
The Vanta 24 is aimed at military and government buyers rather than consumers, so its direct effect on everyday readers is indirect. Its deployment could influence how undersea infrastructure is monitored, which affects the reliability of the networks people depend on.
The takeaway
Autonomous naval systems are moving from concept to production as European states prioritize protecting undersea cables and shipping lanes, a shift that will shape defense spending for years to come.
What happens next
The Vanta 24 is planned to launch next year, and the German army has begun training on Stark and Helsing attack drones this month.
Further reading
Explore more Startups coverage on Wisevoter for context on emerging defense-tech companies.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GCaptain.
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