Helsing to Launch AI Targeting Software in Berlin as a European Rival to Palantir

The launch is aimed at European governments that have grown uneasy about relying on US suppliers for critical military systems. Helsing said it was "crucial" to act "with autonomy and without dependencies: from Europe and for Europe," according to Reuters. Details of the software's capabilities, customers and pricing had not been published ahead of the presentation.

Palantir's Maven Smart System is the best-known military AI system of its kind. It is used by the US, by NATO commands and by several NATO members. Palantir has said its customers keep full operational control of the software they buy and that it has no "kill switch" that would let the company switch it off remotely.

Concerns in Europe about dependence on Washington and about data sovereignty have increased after President Donald Trump's repeated threats to leave NATO, and have fed resistance to Palantir in parts of the continent, Reuters reported. Recent episodes have added to the worry. Last month, speed restrictions on Ukraine's Starlink terminals hampered efforts to intercept Russian drones. In June, the Trump administration moved to block non-US residents from Anthropic's most advanced models, and Anthropic suspended access globally; the restriction was lifted later that month, but European lawmakers said it showed the US holds a "kill switch" over essential technologies.

Germany is the most immediate test of Helsing's pitch. The German military has said that, for now at least, it will not buy Maven for its forces. It aims to deploy its own AI-powered system from 2027, with full implementation expected in 2028.

Helsing, founded in 2021, builds AI software and autonomous systems for defence. Wednesday's presentation in Berlin should show how far its targeting product has developed and whether it is ready to compete for that German programme.