Munich, September 10 – ARX Robotics, a leading defense technology specialist based in Munich, is significantly expanding its footprint into the Polish market. The company officially announced its plans yesterday, September 9, 2026, at the MSPO defense trade fair in Kielce, Poland. This strategic move includes the establishment of a local subsidiary and a main headquarters in Poland, marking ARX Robotics’ fourth market entry.
Multi-Million Euro Investment and Job Creation
The expansion project involves substantial investments in the double-digit millions of euros. ARX Robotics anticipates that this initiative will create numerous skilled jobs in the region by the end of the decade, contributing significantly to the local economy and defense industry.
ARX Robotics receives support from the NATO Innovation Fund, having secured a 9 million euro seed funding round in 2024, also led by the NATO Innovation Fund. This financial backing underscores the strategic importance and potential of ARX Robotics’ technological advancements.
GEREON-UGV Platform at the Core of Operations
Central to ARX Robotics’ product portfolio is the GEREON-UGV platform (Unmanned Ground Vehicle). These advanced unmanned ground systems are designed to carry payloads of up to 500 kilograms, achieve speeds of 30 km/h, and boast a range of 40 kilometers. These capabilities highlight ARX Robotics’ commitment to developing robust and versatile defense solutions.
Contribution to Ukraine’s Defense and Broader Industry Shifts
ARX Robotics is also a key participant in an industrial cooperation initiative aimed at supporting Ukraine. In collaboration with industry peers such as Quantum Systems, Helsing, and Airlogix, ARX Robotics has commenced mass production of over 5,000 long-range combat drones. Currently, approximately 500,000 drones are produced monthly in Ukraine. In this context, German Defense Commissioner Otte noted that the Bundeswehr is currently lagging in the procurement of such systems.
Parallel to ARX Robotics’ expansion, the German industrial landscape is undergoing a profound transformation towards defense production. A central project in this shift is the conversion of the Volkswagen plant in Osnabrück into a competence center for security and defense solutions. With the production of the T-Roc Cabriolet ending in summer 2027, the site is slated to be taken over by the investment company Aurelius Capital and the state of Lower Saxony. The Israeli defense group Rafael will serve as an anchor partner, with plans to manufacture components for air defense, including for the Iron Dome system. Approximately 1,400 of the current 1,800 jobs in Osnabrück are expected to be retained. Initially, Rafael had planned a direct entry into VW, but this was blocked due to resistance from the Qatari side.
Political Framework and Military Procurement
This industrial expansion unfolds against the backdrop of an intensified debate concerning Germany’s defense capabilities. Federal Finance Minister Klingbeil stated on September 8, 2026, during a budget debate in the Bundestag, that effective defense for Germany would not be feasible without incurring new debts. Concurrently, Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadeful urged Ukraine to increasingly procure armaments from German companies.
German military aid to Ukraine amounts to 11.5 billion euros in 2026, bringing the total aid since the invasion began to 57.6 billion euros. At the EU level, loans totaling 90 billion euros are available for 2026 and 2027, with 60 billion euros explicitly earmarked for defense purposes.
Strategic Partnerships and New Capacities
In addition to developments in Poland and Osnabrück, other key players are also scaling up their capacities:
- Elbit Systems Deutschland: The company plans to hire over 1,000 new employees and open up to eight new locations within three years. Development teams will operate in both Germany and Israel.
- Robotics Cooperation: The German company NEURA Robotics and the Italian company SECO are collaborating on scaling humanoid robots. SECO is manufacturing electronic modules with Qualcomm-Dragonwing processors for this purpose. Joint activities in semiconductor manufacturing and a training facility in Italy are also planned.
- Sensor Technology and Observation: Rheinmetall Electronics has commissioned Safran Electronics & Defense to supply over 1,000 MOSKITO and several hundred SHARPCROW observation systems. Production will take place in Germany as part of the “Infantryman of the Future” program.
These measures are complemented by the Ministry of Defense’s long-term procurement plans, which include the evaluation of cost-effective cruise missiles such as the FP-5 Flamingo model from Ukrainian manufacturer Fire Point, with a range of 3,000 kilometers, and the Anthem system from Israeli manufacturer Covenant. A strategic four-pillar plan envisions the introduction of Typhon launchers by 2029 and the development of hypersonic technologies by 2035.
Source: https://www.ad-hoc-news.de/wissenschaft/arx-robotics-muenchner-ruestungskonzern-expandiert-nach-polen/70077503
