Helsing Establishes Helsing Estonia to Bolster Baltic Defence Operations

Helsing, the leading European AI defence company, today announced the establishment of Helsing Estonia OÜ to enhance its operations and engagements within the Baltic region. This strategic expansion follows Helsing's commitment to deterrence and defence along NATO’s Eastern Flank. Moreover, in a pledge to ensure the Baltic defence industrial base is equipped with state-of-the-art AI-capabilities, Helsing is committing 70 million Euros of investment into the Baltic defence industry over the next three years. 

Estonia is known as a leader in technology innovation and adoption, in both the civilian and defence sector. Prime Minister Kallas recently announced the development of a defence industrial park as well as a defence industry fund to provide companies with the necessary infrastructure. During a recent joint panel with Helsing in Tallinn, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said: “The changed security situation in Europe has clearly shown the need for greater defence investments and has also highlighted the current bottlenecks in the defence sector. (…) We are seeing how readily available technologies can prove fatal for military equipment costing millions. Cheap drones carrying warheads can deplete the reserves of even the more sophisticated defence systems” (Tallinn, 24 May 2024)1 

Through close collaboration with local industrial partners, Helsing aims to reinforce the Baltic’s defence infrastructure with state-of-the-art AI and software solutions. In a show of commitment to the region, Helsing is making substantial investments, including the establishment of new operational and manufacturing facilities. These investments will not only enhance local defence capabilities but also create significant economic opportunities within Estonia.  

Helsing Co-founder and Co-CEO Dr. Gundbert Scherf noted: “The strengthening of European and NATO borders is a time-critical requirement for the safety of our democracies. To this end, we are establishing Helsing Estonia to bring advanced AI capabilities to the Defence Forces of the Baltic countries. Drawing on lessons we have learned from the conflict in Ukraine, Helsing will be prioritising local production wherever possible to ensure that the Baltic’s defence systems are resilient, adaptable, and homegrown.”

Helsing has been active in Ukraine since 2022 and recently established the Defence Manufacturers Alliance, a joint initiative with the Ukrainian government. Since its founding in 2021, the company has secured a series of government contracts, including the German Eurofighter Electronic Warfare upgrade (with strategic investor and committed partner Saab AB), the AI infrastructure for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS, with consortium HIS), and a number of classified contracts in the maritime and land domain.