German AI defense startup Helsing has established an internal incubator called Area 9 dedicated to developing risky, innovative projects, including AI agents for battlefield intelligence.

Helsing's co-CEO Gundbert Scherf highlighted that the purpose of Area 9 is to pursue high-risk, futuristic technology rather than scaling existing products.

Six months ago, Helsing formed a separate team to focus on these moonshot projects, which was publicly unveiled during their first media day.

The incubator is currently developing an experimental AI battlefield intelligence agent that processes real-time data from satellites, radar, and drones to analyze combat zones and answer specific battlefield queries.

This AI project employs new techniques developed within the past six months and remains in the experimental stage, not yet ready for commercial deployment.

The incubator employs around 30 people, with plans to expand to over 40, and receives dedicated internal funding, though the budget is modest compared to other company domains.

Helsing recently raised €600 million at a valuation of €12 billion, with most investments directed toward its land domain, including autonomous strike drones.

The company may pursue open-ended partnerships, as indicated by a secretive deal earlier in 2025 with Mistral, a competitor to OpenAI, though specific details remain undisclosed.

Overall, Helsing is shifting towards more transparent innovation efforts in defense AI, emphasizing cutting-edge technology and strategic risk-taking.