German tech start-up that could allow Europe to cut costs without sacrificing defense capabilities

German startup ARX Robotics has unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered operating system designed to transform military vehicles into smart, interconnected, and autonomous units.

Based in Munich, the defense-tech firm’s innovative technology offers significant utility to European governments, particularly as post-invasion enthusiasm for military spending wanes. Lieutenant General (Ret.) Frank Leidenberger, CEO of an IT service provider for the German Armed Forces, emphasized the importance of modernizing existing equipment amid shifting budgetary priorities.

“To ensure robust defense capabilities, it is crucial not only to invest in new technologies but also to upgrade current assets for modern warfare,” Leidenberger told Defense Post.

ARX Robotics specializes in dual-use autonomous unmanned ground systems, featuring scalable hardware and adaptive software architectures. The company’s systems are being deployed, tested, or procured by seven European armed forces for applications such as reconnaissance, surveillance, transport, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), training, and simulation.

The ARX Mithra OS enables seamless digital connectivity and integration across diverse vehicle fleets, allowing armed forces to transform existing platforms into advanced, unmanned or optionally manned autonomous systems. It supports manned-unmanned and unmanned-unmanned teaming, enhancing operational effectiveness and adaptability.

The ARX Autonomy Kit offers an affordable and efficient solution for upgrading vehicle fleets, providing easy integration with multiple vehicle types and the ability to receive over-the-air updates for continued flexibility.

By leveraging these advancements, Mithra OS improves operational performance, minimizes personnel demands, and enhances troop safety through unmanned precision missions, delivering a strategic edge in modern defense operations.

By Nazrin Sadigova