Europe is approaching the undeniable deployment of fighter jets, and defense startup Helsing has announced that its artificial intelligence software successfully controlled the Saab Gripen E aircraft on a recent test flight.
According to Financial Times On July 10, Software commanded the jets during two flights through the Baltic Sea in May and June, but human pilots existed only as observers.
Helsing, the same company that currently supplies drones and AI software to Ukraine, described the test as a major step in integrating autonomous systems into aviation combat.
The company's Centaur AI system reportedly achieved 1 million flight times in just 72 hours, exceeding the 5,000-hour career average for human fighter pilots.
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July 10th, 2025 14:06
Helsing representatives say the adoption of the technology by the European Air Force could occur within years rather than decades.
We are assuming a progressive transition. Initially, pilots work with AI to help them detect complex operations and threats. Over time, the role of human operators is expected to move away from the cockpit, as is the evolution of drone warfare.
Helsing is an active contributor to the defense of Ukraine. The company has contracted to supply up to 10,000 drones to the Ukrainian army.
I recently started testing my HX-2 Strike Drone. This is a new model developed after previous frontline criticism of HF-1 design. The HX-2 features upgraded features and is currently being evaluated under Ukraine's battlefield conditions.
After Ukraine used Helsing's drones, France, Germany and the UK began testing HX-2 models of their own military. The combat performance of this system has encouraged wider European interest in AI-powered drone warfare and accelerated efforts to develop domestic production capacity.
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December 2, 2024 17:58
Founded in 2021, Helsing has expanded from AI software developers to major players in the European defence sector. The company is currently valued at around $140.5 billion, backed by approximately $702 million, led by Spotify founder Daniel Ek.
It maintains offices in Berlin, Munich, London and Paris, and maintains its position as a pan-European company amid increasing efforts to reduce its dependence on non-European defence suppliers.
The company emphasizes that human operators continue to be central to decision-making in deadly operations, but acknowledges that full-scale conflict with peer enemies can change the boundaries of autonomy.
At the same time, Helsing reiterated that in environments such as Ukraine, where military targets are close to civilian infrastructure, the final decision must be left to humans.
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