Munich-based defense technology startup Helsing says it has closed a $1.8 billion Series E funding round that values the company at $18 billion. The deal is described as Europe’s largest funding round for a defense startup, reflecting growing investor interest in defense-related technology as military spending rises. Across coverage, the round is characterized as a significant expansion for Helsing and a bet on the role of advanced—often described as “sovereign”—AI in defense capabilities. Reporting also notes that the capital structure includes substantial funding from American investors, even though the company is European. While the outlets emphasize different context—one focusing on the valuation and investor makeup, and the other situating the round within broader defense-tech venture trends—both agree that Helsing’s financing represents a major milestone. The reporting presents the funding as part of a wider pattern of rapid growth in defense technology investment in Europe, driven by government budget increases.