Helsing opens Stockholm presence to deepen its commitment to Swedish and Nordic defence

MUNICH / STOCKHOLM, 20 APRIL 2026 – Helsing, Europe's leading defence technology company, today announced the opening of its Stockholm presence.

The opening event was marked by an evening of strategic dialogue. Gundbert Scherf, co-CEO and co-founder of Helsing, welcomed Dr. Pål Jonson, Swedish Minister for Defence, Oleksandr Kamyshin, Advisor to the Ukrainian President on Strategic Affairs, General (ret.) Sir James Everard, former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, and Ludger Siemes, German Ambassador to Sweden, for keynotes and panel discussions in front of an audience of senior leaders from government, the armed forces, and industry.

The hub formalises and expands Helsing's years of active engagement with the Swedish defence ecosystem, including collaboration with Swedish industry, government, and armed forces.

The most prominent example is the landmark demonstration of AI-enabled air combat. Under contract from Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), Helsing's AI agent Centaur flew aboard a Gripen E fighter jet over the Baltic Sea. Centaur executed complex beyond-visual-range combat manoeuvres – the first publicly known instance of AI piloting a fully operational fighter jet. Helsing has also secured a three-digit million Euro contract to equip the Eurofighter with Cirra, its AI-based electronic warfare software, developed in partnership with Saab.

The new Stockholm presence will serve as the operational centre for Helsing's Nordic activities: AI software development, defence partnerships, and sovereign capability-building for Sweden and the wider Baltic Sea region. The hub strengthens Sweden's security of supply, ensuring that advanced defence capabilities are available quickly – a critical requirement given the security environment in Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea region and the Arctic.

Gundbert Scherf, co-CEO and co-founder of Helsing, says: “Sweden is a cornerstone of European security, and for Helsing, we see this as a new ‘home market’. Our work on integrating our autonomy system Centaur with the Gripen has already proven that combining Swedish industrial excellence with our technology creates an unmatched defense edge.

Sweden ‘gets it’ – from its unique Total Defence concept to the urgency it shares with its NB8 partners. We aren’t just opening an office; we are deepening our roots in a world-class tech ecosystem to ensure the Swedish Armed Forces don’t just keep pace with the future of conflict, but define it.”

Ludger Siemes, German Ambassador to Sweden, says: "Helsing's new Stockholm office is a sign of the strength of German-Swedish defence cooperation – a historic partnership rooted in shared interests and a joint commitment to European security. With a proven track record in Sweden and deep ties to Swedish industry, Helsing is building lasting capability alongside Swedish partners. This is how European defence innovation works: collaborative, sovereign, and forward-looking." 

Additional images to be uploaded shortly.

Media Contact:
communications@helsing.ai