IRIA News

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German defense tech startup ARX Robotics has officially launched Europe’s largest production facility for military robotic systems in the Munich metropolitan region to bolster European defense capabilities.

This new facility will allow the company to scale its production of unmanned autonomous land systems, providing European armed forces with crucial technologies to strengthen military capabilities in the face of evolving security challenges.

“European armed forces face a structural disadvantage in mass of personnel and equipment compared to potential adversaries,” said Marc Wietfeld, co-founder and CEO of Arx Robotics. “Unmanned systems have the potential to bridge this capability gap—provided they can be produced at scale. Our new facility represents a significant step toward achieving this goal, enhancing Europe’s strategic autonomy and defense resilience,” Wietfeld said in a statement on February 7, 2025.

The official opening ceremony, attended by prominent political figures such as Members of the German parliament (Bundestag) Florian Hahn and Dr. Andreas Lenz, underscored the importance of autonomous military technology in securing Europe’s defense future.

“Innovation needs courage and support – we must take responsibility,” stated Florian Hahn. “Germany’s role in European security is shaped by its forward-thinking companies, particularly in fields like software-defined defense and artificial intelligence (AI).” The lawmakers highlighted the growing political and strategic relevance of autonomous systems in the defense sector.

Scaling up autonomous military robotic system

ARX Robotics’ new production facility represents the company’s transition into a crucial scale-up phase. For the first time, ARX will be able to produce autonomous military robotic systems in large quantities, ensuring the rapid delivery of cutting-edge solutions to defense forces across Europe.

With the facility now operational, the company is set to further expand its manufacturing capabilities, develop new defense partnerships, and push the boundaries of innovation in unmanned systems.

In just the past six months, ARX Robotics has successfully ramped up its production capacity of unmanned systems to 30 times its previous level, a remarkable feat that enables the company to meet growing demand at an unprecedented rate. This expansion reinforces ARX’s position as a key player in the military robotics space, with the capability to provide scalable, mission-critical solutions for defense forces worldwide.

At the same time, ARX Robotics recently achieved another major milestone: the largest deployment of Western-designed unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) in Ukraine. This delivery of advanced autonomous systems highlights the company’s commitment to strengthening both European and global security, providing allies with cutting-edge robotic solutions to enhance operational effectiveness on the battlefield.

At the core of ARX Robotics’ offering is the GEREON unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) series, a modular system designed for versatile defense applications such as live-fire training, transport, medical evacuation, and reconnaissance. The flexibility of the GEREON series allows for easy customization with various mission-specific payloads, positioning it as a scalable solution for diverse operational needs.

ARX AI-based operating system

In December 2024, ARX Robotics launched the first-ever AI-based operating system called ARX Mithra OS. The system is capable of transforming any military vehicle into an intelligent, autonomous interconnected unit.

This revolutionary software solution allows for the retrofitting of legacy systems, converting existing military fleets into AI-enabled, software-driven platforms capable of collaborating seamlessly with soldiers or unmanned systems. By reducing personnel requirements and improving troop safety, ARX Mithra OS enables rapid deployment, allowing armed forces to quickly upgrade their vehicle fleets to autonomous, remotely controlled units, enhancing overall mission efficiency.

CEO Marc Wietfeld emphasized the importance of modernization within the armed forces. He noted that while technology and warfare have evolved, the replacement of entire fleets is neither feasible nor affordable. ARX Mithra OS bridges this gap, offering a cost-effective, scalable solution that supports manned-unmanned and unmanned-unmanned teaming, driving operational flexibility and improved interoperability.

Founded by former soldiers Marc Wietfeld, Stefan Röbel, and Maximilian Wied, ARX Robotics is dedicated to strengthening European defense capabilities and technological sovereignty.

ARX Robotics raised €9 million ($9.2M) in seed funding in 2024, the largest round ever for a European defense tech company. This funding enabled ARX to expand its team and ramp up production capabilities, addressing critical gaps in Europe and NATO’s autonomous unmanned systems. With backing from the NATO Innovation Fund, Project A Ventures, and Discovery Ventures, ARX Robotics is set to scale its operations to meet NATO’s growing demand for autonomous unmanned systems.