German defense startup Stark, valued at over €1bn in a recent funding round, is pivoting from attack drones to defensive systems. The Berlin-based company, backed by Peter Thiel, announced a strategic shift as demand grows for protection against unmanned weapons following the Iran conflict. Stark plans to integrate high-precision laser technology into its unmanned naval vessels to protect critical waterways from drone attacks.

Stark has partnered with Hanover-based Inleap Photonics to develop defensive laser systems that will first be deployed on its Vanta family of unmanned naval vessels. The technology can blast enemy drones out of the sky by targeting them with concentrated beams, addressing vulnerabilities in port security and maritime infrastructure. The company intends to expand this technology to ground-based and aerial variants targeting NATO customers including Germany.

Germany recently approved €3bn in drone contracts to three suppliers including Stark, though at reduced values amid scrutiny of Thiel's ties to the Trump administration and concerns about performance. The move reflects a broader trend in European defense as the Ukraine conflict and Middle East tensions drive demand for counter-drone solutions. European drone makers are rapidly expanding into the growing market for interceptors amid global shortages of traditional defense systems.