Munich-based ARX Robotics, a company pushing the boundaries of autonomous defence and commercial robotics, has secured €31 million in fresh Series A funding. Leading the round was HV Capital, joined by Omnes Capital, NATO Innovation Fund, and Project A. This milestone follows a €9 million seed round closed just last year, showing rapid momentum.
With this new capital, ARX Robotics is ready to accelerate production, scale its European footprint, and strengthen its AI-powered defence solutions. The company also plans to invest heavily in top-tier European AI talent and expand its flagship platform, Mithra OS — the core of its autonomous operations.
Driven by Europe’s changing security landscape, demand for smart battlefield technologies is soaring. While land operations dominate military activities, they remain deeply under-automated. ARX Robotics is stepping into this gap, offering scalable unmanned systems that seamlessly connect land, air, and sea operations through advanced AI-driven solutions.
Here are five things you need to know about this next-gen defence innovator:
1. Founded by Veterans Who Lived the Battlefield
Unlike most tech startups founded by engineers, ARX Robotics was built by soldiers who have seen modern warfare up close. The company was launched in 2021 by Marc Wietfeld, Stefan Roebel, and Maximilian Wied, all former German Army officers. Their hands-on experience gives ARX a rare edge: products that aren’t just high-tech but genuinely battlefield-ready. They also deeply understand military procurement processes, a key advantage when selling to defence forces.
Their military DNA shapes every part of ARX’s mission — to build machines that genuinely reduce risks for human soldiers.
2. Proven in Real-World Combat: Ukraine
ARX’s unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) have already been battle-tested in Ukraine. Their systems have helped both military operations and humanitarian efforts in complex terrains — from ruined cities to muddy fields. These real-world deployments validated ARX’s technology under fire, refining their autonomous navigation and modular designs even further.
Field experience like this doesn’t just boost credibility — it ensures the next generation of their robots is smarter, tougher, and ready for unpredictable challenges.
3. Mithra OS: Transforming Military Vehicles into AI Warriors
One of ARX Robotics’ most exciting innovations is Mithra OS, a military-grade operating system that breathes new life into existing vehicles. Instead of buying brand-new machines, armed forces can upgrade their current fleet with Mithra’s brainpower.
The platform enables autonomous driving, real-time battlefield decisions, and even swarm operations — where vehicles communicate and coordinate like a team. It’s a powerful shift towards software-defined warfare, echoing the digital revolutions seen in aerospace and automotive industries.
4. Strategic Partnerships Are Powering Its Growth
ARX isn’t building its future alone. It has forged smart partnerships with aerial robotics leaders like Elistair and Quantum Systems. Together, they are linking drones and UGVs into cohesive, multi-domain teams. These collaborations have already delivered practical results, such as the German Army’s successful trials of drone-UGV networks for missions combining aerial and ground surveillance.
By integrating systems across different domains, ARX offers militaries the layered situational awareness and quick decision-making needed for modern hybrid conflicts.
5. Building for Battlefields and Disaster Zones
While defence is ARX Robotics’ primary focus, it doesn’t stop there. The company emphasizes dual-use applications, tailoring its platforms for humanitarian missions too. Their rugged GEREON vehicles, for example, can deliver medical supplies after earthquakes, or assist firefighters battling wildfires.
This dual-use strategy not only opens up new markets but also aligns with public-sector priorities: solutions that save lives, whether on the battlefield or during natural disasters.
Fresh Momentum for European Defence Innovation
Marc Wietfeld, co-founder and CEO, described ARX’s mission clearly: building the next generation of scalable defence infrastructure through robotics and AI. With backing from renowned investors, ARX is poised to shift from proven deployments to industrial-scale production.
Backing this view, HV Capital’s Fabian Gruner praised ARX as proof that Europe can build world-leading, AI-native defence technologies. NATO Innovation Fund’s Chris O’Connor highlighted ARX’s success in fielding the largest Western UGV fleet to Ukraine — a testament to both urgent need and the company’s rapid execution.
With momentum on its side, ARX Robotics is setting the standard for Europe’s future in autonomous defence.
