Helsing has brought Rakuten on board to finalize a deal regarding unmanned systems for Japan
The German defense technology company Helsing has enlisted the Japanese conglomerate Rakuten to help finalize a deal to sell unmanned systems to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The Japan Times reported this, citing a Rakuten spokesperson.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is currently testing the Helsing HX-2 strike drone, which features artificial intelligence technology. According to the Rakuten spokesperson, field tests will continue through the end of September. Japan is modernizing its armed forces amid China’s increasingly assertive policies, the publication notes.
A representative of Munich-based Helsing said that earlier this year, the company reached a preliminary agreement on the use of its systems by the Japanese government. He said this was facilitated by an unnamed local intermediary partner. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force did not provide an immediate comment in response to a request from Reuters.
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The Japanese newspaper Nikkei was the first to report on Rakuten’s collaboration with Helsing. The conglomerate has limited experience in the defense sector but aims to help startups enter the Japanese defense market. Hideaki Mukai, chief of staff to Rakuten’s CEO, stated that startups face complex procurement procedures, difficulties communicating with government agencies, and lengthy procurement cycles.
Previously, Rakuten helped Swarmer, a Ukrainian company that develops drone software and is listed in the U.S., conduct a technology demonstration for a unit of the Japanese military. In late April, during a test, AI was used to coordinate a swarm of drones in a mission to search for and engage targets.
Helsing was founded in 2021. Initially, the company developed AI for analyzing battlefield data, and later expanded its operations to include autonomous strike drones, underwater surveillance systems, and technologies for military aviation. In July, Helsing raised $1.8 billion in funding, becoming Europe’s most-funded defense technology startup.
