Fully automated strike drones near deployment as Stark advances AI technology

Stark’s AI-powered drones edge closer to autonomy amid global arms race concerns.

OWE-V drone is capable of vertical launch and can strike targets up to 100 kilometers away. (c) Frederik Watzka/Stark

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The era of fully automated strike drones is rapidly approaching, according to German drone start-up Stark, marking a pivotal moment in the global race to develop autonomous weapons capable of selecting and engaging targets without human intervention. The accelerated pace of innovation, fueled by the ongoing war in Ukraine, has drawn attention to Stark’s groundbreaking work in pushing drone technology into a new era of battlefield autonomy.

Stark's managing director, Philip Lockwood, revealed that their next generation of drones — designed to pick and strike targets independently without human oversight — are “not far off” from deployment. His comments highlight the technological leap being made as many existing unmanned systems already navigate autonomously and track moving targets, but still require human confirmation before launching attacks.

Ukraine war accelerates investment in drone technology

The conflict in Ukraine has acted as a catalyst for unprecedented investment in drone innovation. Companies are showcasing drones with high precision and lethal capabilities at costs significantly lower than traditional military assets such as tanks and missiles. Lockwood emphasized that the move towards fully automated strike drones is a natural evolution given the battlefield demands and technological capabilities now within reach.

Meanwhile, although the European Union has voiced support for banning fully autonomous weapons, legislative action has been slow. International efforts through the United Nations have similarly struggled to produce a binding treaty, leaving a legal grey area that could soon be exploited by countries less concerned about ethical deployment.

Lockwood, formerly the head of innovation at NATO, issued a stark warning about the potential risks. He noted that adversarial states like Russia and China are unlikely to share Western concerns over the deployment of autonomous weaponry.

“I think that we should be concerned that our adversaries like Russia and China are not going to have concerns about how these systems are used,” Lockwood cautioned.

AI reshapes the battlefield dynamics

Lockwood’s warnings come amid the growing integration of artificial intelligence in modern warfare. On the Ukrainian frontlines, many systems now rely on AI-driven navigation, the ability to chart new paths independently, resist electronic jamming, and track moving targets without human guidance.

American company Anduril has emerged as one of the biggest players in this shift, supplying hundreds of its Altius-600M drones to the Pentagon for deployment in Ukraine. Similarly, Turkey’s Baykar, a well-known drone manufacturer, has capitalized on the soaring demand for intelligent unmanned systems.

Within Europe, competition among start-ups is intensifying. Alongside Stark, notable players include Helsing, which also focuses on AI-driven defense systems, and Quantum Systems, a reconnaissance drone manufacturer founded by Florian Seidel — the same entrepreneur behind Stark’s inception. Other ambitious start-ups like Tekever have also joined the race, building drones specifically designed for intelligence gathering and surveillance missions.

Stark’s OWE-V drone leads next-generation capabilities

Stark recently unveiled its first operational drone, the OWE-V, signaling a major step forward in fully automated strike drones technology. The OWE-V can make real-time decisions to avoid other warfare systems, launch vertically, and deliver strikes on targets located up to 100 kilometers away.

Lockwood assured that, despite the drone’s high level of autonomy, Stark currently maintains stringent controls to ensure human oversight. "We’re not comfortable at this stage reducing those controls," he said, reaffirming the company's commitment to maintaining ethical deployment practices even as their technological capabilities expand.

The OWE-V's real-time decision-making ability reflects the increasing sophistication of battlefield AI, where the distinction between human-directed and independently operating drones continues to blur.

Traditional arms makers push back

Not everyone in the defense sector shares the excitement over autonomous systems. Established arms manufacturers have criticized the narrative that drones could supplant traditional military assets.

Armin Papperger, CEO of munitions giant Rheinmetall, dismissed claims that autonomous strike drones could fundamentally alter warfare on their own. “Drones are not a game-changer. The current discussion suggests that drones alone can win a war — that is definitely not true,” Papperger said last month.

Nevertheless, many start-ups believe the future belongs to them. They argue that the cost-effectiveness, scalability, and rapid deployment of AI-powered drones make them attractive investments for modern militaries, especially as defense budgets across Europe and elsewhere continue to swell.

Stark’s vision beyond Ukraine

Looking ahead, Stark’s leadership remains optimistic. With offices in Berlin and Kyiv, the company does not anticipate that an end to the Ukraine war would undermine its business prospects. The destruction wrought across Ukraine has reshaped European security calculations for the long term.

“There is going to be a distrust of Russia for many, many, many long years — potentially generations,” Lockwood stated. This persistent atmosphere of tension, he believes, will continue driving demand for sophisticated defense technologies like fully automated strike drones.

As Europe contemplates its future defense posture, Stark and other drone innovators are positioning themselves to play a central role. While ethical debates rage and regulatory frameworks lag behind, the reality on the ground is clear: the age of automated combat drones is fast approaching, and the implications for global security could be profound.