Helsing partners with Rakuten to sell strike drones to Japan
German drone maker Helsing has enlisted Rakuten as a local partner to finalise a deal with Japan's army, which is currently testing its HX-2 strike drones.
German defence technology startup Helsing has brought Japanese e-commerce and finance conglomerate Rakuten on board to help close a deal to supply unmanned systems to Japan's military, a Rakuten spokesperson confirmed on Monday.
Japan's Ground Self-Defence Forces are currently field-testing Helsing's HX-2 strike drone, part of Tokyo's broader push to modernise its armed forces in response to China's growing assertiveness in the region. These trials are scheduled to run until the end of September.
Helsing, headquartered in Munich, said it had reached an "initial agreement" with the Japanese government earlier this year, facilitated by an unnamed local brokerage partner. The Ground Self-Defence Forces did not respond to requests for comment.
Rakuten's involvement was first reported by Nikkei. While the Tokyo-based firm has limited defence experience, it is positioning itself as a bridge for startups seeking entry into Japan's defence sector. Hideaki Mukai, Chief of Staff to Rakuten's CEO, said startups often face structural barriers such as complex procurement systems and difficult communication with government agencies. He added that Rakuten hopes to leverage its expertise to connect cutting-edge technologies with government needs, driving innovation in Japan's defence industry.
Japan's increased military spending and the easing of arms-export restrictions earlier this year have drawn significant interest from overseas defence firms seeking local partners. Rakuten has already helped Ukrainian drone software maker Swarmer demonstrate its AI-driven swarm coordination technology to a Japanese military unit in late April.
Founded in 2021, Helsing initially focused on AI software for battlefield data analysis before expanding into autonomous strike drones, underwater surveillance, and military aircraft applications. The company has contracts with European governments and defence firms, and has supplied drones to Ukraine with German government funding. In July, it raised $1.8 billion, making it Europe's best-funded defence technology startup.