Quantum Systems is shaping one of the fastest shifting tech sectors in Europe. Germany’s defence industry once felt slow, restricted, and far from the global spotlight. That perception has disappeared. Today, investors are crowding into the space as new defence innovators move at a pace Europe has not seen in decades.
The latest sign of this momentum comes from Quantum Systems, which has just lifted its valuation to €3 billion after raising €180 million in fresh funding. The round was led by Balderton Capital, with support from major names including Peter Thiel, Porsche Automobil Holding SE and Notion Capital. The jump reflects a tripling of the company’s valuation since May, a shift that shows how central its technology has become to modern warfare and defence strategy.
Much of this growth comes from the role its surveillance drones now play in Ukraine. The country’s defence forces rely heavily on these systems to monitor Russian positions, gather real time intelligence and support frontline units. As the conflict reshaped global expectations around drone warfare, demand for high performing aerial systems surged. Drones are no longer experimental tools or future predictions. They are decisive equipment shaping battles and influencing strategy.
Quantum Systems has built its reputation by delivering drones that work in harsh real world environments rather than controlled test fields. The new funding will help scale manufacturing to meet rising demand and speed up development of counter drone systems. These new solutions are set to hit the market next year and add a new pillar to the company’s offering. Defence agencies not only need better drones. They also need systems that can identify, intercept and disable hostile ones. This dual need is now part of modern security planning across Europe, Asia and North America.
The company’s story began in 2015 when founder Florian Seibel, a former German army pilot, wanted to build drones strong enough for active combat conditions. His vision leaned toward dual use design so the machines could serve both defence missions and industrial customers. That approach helped the company grow quickly. It also made Quantum Systems one of the most visible players in Europe’s new defence tech wave.
Seibel later expanded his ambitions by launching Stark Defence in 2023. This separate company focuses on strike capable systems. With it, he moved beyond reconnaissance and into the offensive layer of aerial defence. Together, the two companies have turned him into a major name in Europe’s evolving air defence industry. The movement is not only about drones flying farther or faster. It is about creating a complete ecosystem of recon tools, offensive platforms and now counter drone systems.
Interest in this sector has grown sharply due to rising geopolitical tensions. Governments want reliable suppliers that can respond quickly, deliver proven technology and support national security without long delays. Quantum Systems fits this moment well. It has working products, battlefield experience and manufacturing capacity that continues to grow.
Across Europe, several companies are racing to modernise the region’s defence stack. Helsing is building AI driven defence software. Stark Defence is pushing into advanced strike systems. Quantum Systems sits right at the centre of this movement with its high performance aerial platforms. The Russia Ukraine war accelerated experimentation, deployment and procurement cycles, and these companies stepped into that opening.
While Ukraine remains the most visible proving ground for drone technology, manufacturers are expanding beyond it. European governments are revisiting defence strategies and speeding up drone adoption at an unprecedented rate. Quantum Systems is emerging as one of the most important suppliers in this shift. The company now has the funding, the momentum and the geopolitical demand to shape Europe’s defence future.
Its new €3 billion valuation signals more than strong investor confidence. It shows that defence technology is no longer operating on the fringes of European innovation. It is becoming one of the continent’s defining industries, with Quantum Systems helping lead the charge toward a modern, autonomous air defence era.
