In a major step forward for European military innovation, German defence tech startup ARX Robotics has announced a £45 million investment to build a new production facility in the UK. The site will manufacture 1,800 autonomous land drones annually, reinforcing Europe’s push toward advanced, scalable military technologies in an era of rising geopolitical tensions.
German Startup to Build 1,800 Autonomous Land Drones Annually at £45M British Plant
German defence tech startup ARX Robotics is boosting European military innovation with a new £45 million facility in southwest England. The plant will produce 1,800 autonomous ground drones annually, supporting modern battlefield needs. These modular, tread-based robots can be quickly repaired in the field and equipped with radar, mine-clearing tools, or medical stretchers. Capable of carrying up to 500kg, the drones operate autonomously or via remote control, with variants designed for transport, target practice, and aerial drone deployment.
ARX’s technology is already gaining traction across Europe. Armed forces from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, and the UK have conducted field tests, and in February, 30 ARX units were deployed to Ukrainian forces on the front lines.
Marc Wietfeld, CEO of ARX Robotics, said the new UK facility is an important step for European military innovation and strength. He said it will help Europe stay in control of its own defence technology and support modern, smart land forces. Wietfeld will speak more about this at the TNW Conference in June.
Defence Spending Fuels Innovation Boom
ARX’s growth comes at a time when Europe is working hard to improve its military strength. In March 2025, EU leaders launched the “ReArm Europe” plan, aiming to spend £683 billion (€800 billion) over four years to build up defence across the region.
The UK is also increasing its defence budget to 2.5% of its total income and plans to spend at least 10% of that on new technologies. With its focus on simple, smart, and flexible drones, ARX Robotics is set to be a key part of this push for European military innovation.
