Target: Helsing Evidence reviewed through: 22 October 2026 Scope: Israel-Palestine political, institutional, financial, territorial, and leadership relationships.
Corporate Communications & Public Stance
Official statements concerning Israel-Palestine
On 18 September 2025, Helsing published a statement responding to allegations concerning the geographic deployment of its military technology: “Currently we see misinformation spreading that Helsing’s technology is deployed in war zones other than Ukraine. This is not correct.”1
The same statement said Helsing technology was deployed to European countries for deterrence and for defence against Russian aggression in Ukraine.1
In November 2025, the European Broadcasting Union reported that the statement followed allegations connecting Helsing technology to Israeli military operations and examined the confusion surrounding those allegations.2
Public commentary on other geopolitical conflicts
On 11 July 2024, Helsing’s founders Gundbert Scherf, Torsten Reil, and Niklas Köhler publicly described the company’s objective as enabling democratic societies to deter and defend, particularly in the context of European security.3
The company’s July 2024 announcement said Helsing had operated in Ukraine since 2022 and participated in the Defence Manufacturers Alliance with the Ukrainian government.3
On 13 February 2025, Helsing announced production of 6,000 additional HX-2 strike drones for Ukraine following an earlier order for 4,000 HF-1 drones.4
Helsing’s September 2025 statement specifically addressed the geographic scope of its military technology while continuing to describe Ukraine as the conflict-related deployment area.1
Market framing
In June 2025, Helsing described its business strategy in terms of European technological sovereignty, defence innovation, and strategic autonomy.5
Its July 2026 financing announcement described its business as developing AI platforms for the defence capabilities of partner nations and stated that Helsing remained predominantly European-owned.6
On 20 October 2026, Helsing announced a partnership with Destinus to offer military technologies jointly to NATO and allied armed forces.7
Comparative public posture
The reviewed July 2024, February 2025, September 2025, and October 2026 communications contain explicit descriptions of European defence and Ukraine-related military activity, while the September 2025 statement addresses allegations about deployments outside Ukraine.1, 3, 4, 7
No public evidence identified of a separate Helsing corporate statement specifically addressing Palestinian civilian casualties, Israeli settlements, or Palestinian self-determination.
Operations in Occupied or Contested Territories
Territorial presence
Helsing’s September 2025 statement represented that its technology was deployed to European countries for deterrence and for defence against Russian aggression in Ukraine.1
The European Broadcasting Union’s November 2025 investigation reported that it had found no evidence directly connecting Helsing technology to military operations in Israel or Gaza.2
The EBU also distinguished Saab’s separate Israeli supply-chain relationships from Helsing’s own business activities, without establishing a transfer of Helsing technology through Saab to Israel.2
No public evidence identified of Helsing offices, subsidiaries, equipment installations, military contracts, or authorised distribution operations within the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, or occupied Syrian Golan.
Named systems and end users
Helsing confirmed that its HX-2 drone programme included 6,000 additional units for Ukraine in February 2025 and that its earlier HF-1 programme involved 4,000 units.4
On 29 May 2024, Helsing identified itself as a member of the HIS consortium with Schönhofer Sales and Engineering, a Rohde & Schwarz subsidiary, delivering an AI development platform for the German-led Future Combat Air System programme.8
Helsing’s September 2025 announcement with ARX Robotics described cooperation on reconnaissance and strike networks in Ukraine, Germany, and the United Kingdom.9
The February 2026 HENSOLDT partnership concerns the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft and integration of HENSOLDT sensor and electronic-warfare technology.10
No public evidence identified linking HX-2, HF-1, Altra, Centaur, Cirra, the HIS AI backbone, or CA-1 Europa to an Israeli military end user.
Legal and regulatory scrutiny
The September 2025 corporate statement responded to public claims about deployment outside Ukraine, and the November 2025 EBU investigation examined those claims.1, 2
No public evidence identified of a Helsing-specific settlement-business listing under the OHCHR database, an individual finding in UN A/HRC/59/23, or an Israel-Palestine-related court ruling or regulatory enforcement action against Helsing.
Civil-society campaigns and boycotts
During July 2025, several musicians, including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, and Xiu Xiu, withdrew or announced plans to withdraw music from Spotify in opposition to Daniel Ek’s investment in Helsing.11
On 18 September 2025, The Guardian reported that Massive Attack was withdrawing music from Spotify to protest Ek’s investment in military AI technology and that the group was also supporting Palestine-focused cultural boycott activity.12
Euronews reported on 19 September 2025 that Massive Attack requested removal of its catalogue from Israeli streaming platforms alongside its opposition to Ek’s Helsing investment.13
The September 2025 Euronews report recorded statements from Spotify and Helsing denying that Helsing was involved in Gaza.13
The EBU’s November 2025 investigation identified cases in which opposition to Helsing’s military technology investment had been conflated with allegations of Israeli military use, without establishing that such use occurred.2
No public evidence identified of a formal Helsing-specific sanctions designation or procurement exclusion imposed over an established settlement or Gaza military relationship.
Internal Governance, Content & Retail Policies
Employee relations
No public evidence identified of Helsing disciplinary actions, dismissals, litigation, or formal restrictions directed at employees expressing support for Palestine or opposition to Israeli military operations.
No public evidence identified of Helsing union disputes concerning Palestine-related political speech.
Platform and editorial policies
Helsing’s public website identifies its principal products as military AI, autonomous defence systems, electronic warfare, reconnaissance-strike software, and related military technologies.14
No public evidence identified of a Helsing-operated consumer social-media platform, Palestine-related content moderation policy, algorithmic censorship controversy, or regulatory investigation into suppression of Palestinian content.
Retail and supply-chain practices
Helsing’s May 2024 FCAS announcement identifies Schönhofer Sales and Engineering as a consortium partner, while its February 2026 CA-1 Europa announcement identifies HENSOLDT as a technology partner.8, 10
No public evidence identified of Helsing sourcing goods from Israeli settlements, applying settlement-origin labels, or facing regulatory proceedings concerning products originating in occupied territory.
Internal military-support policies
No public evidence identified of Helsing granting special salary subsidies, charitable matching, or preferential military-leave benefits specifically for Israeli reservists.
Corporate humanitarian policies
No public evidence identified of a Helsing donation programme directed to Israeli military-welfare organisations, settlement institutions, or Palestinian humanitarian organisations.
Brand Heritage & State Partnerships
Marketing and military positioning
Helsing describes itself publicly as a defence technology company developing AI-enabled autonomous systems for government and military customers.14
On 3 June 2024, Helsing announced Project Centaur, a programme developing autonomous air-combat capabilities using reinforcement learning and foundation models.15
The June 2024 announcement quotes co-CEO Gundbert Scherf describing the project as applying modern AI approaches to military-domain requirements.15
Government partnerships
On 11 July 2024, Helsing announced the creation of Helsing Estonia OÜ during the NATO summit and pledged €70 million of investment in Estonia’s defence industry over three years.16
The announcement was made during the NATO summit by Helsing executives and Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, according to Invest in Estonia.16
A UK government announcement in 2025 identified Helsing’s planned maritime glider drone factory in Plymouth and associated £350 million AI investment.17
Helsing’s July 2024 financing announcement identified contracts involving the German Eurofighter electronic-warfare upgrade and Future Combat Air System AI infrastructure.3
Institutional partnerships
Helsing’s September 2025 partnership with ARX Robotics concerned AI-enabled reconnaissance and strike networks intended for European defence customers.9
Its February 2026 partnership with HENSOLDT concerned autonomous combat aircraft technologies within a European defence architecture.10
The October 2026 Destinus partnership included Helsing’s participation in a Destinus financing round and joint offerings for NATO and allied armed forces.7
Israel-related institutional relationships
No public evidence identified of Helsing sponsoring Israeli government cultural campaigns, settlement events, Israeli military commemorations, or state-backed public-relations initiatives concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.
No public evidence identified of a Helsing-hosted Israeli defence minister, formal Israeli government research partnership, or institutional collaboration specifically involving settlement entities.
Lobbying, Advocacy, Financing & Logistics
Political lobbying
European Commission records identify Helsing as a participant in institutional consultations with the European defence industry during 2025.18
On 12 May 2025, Helsing participated in a Strategic Dialogue with the European defence industry and social partners chaired by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. On 19 May 2025, Helsing participated in an Implementation Dialogue chaired by Commissioner Andrius Kubilius concerning defence readiness and regulatory simplification.18
No public evidence identified in the accessible replacement source confirming Helsing’s EU transparency registration number 819889396042-89 or the previously reported meetings of 1 April 2025 and 17 September 2025.
No public evidence identified in the accessible replacement source confirming a separate meeting on 23 October 2025 involving Commissioner Andrius Kubilius and Helsing CEO Gundbert Scherf.
No public evidence identified in the accessible replacement source confirming a meeting on 6 November 2025 involving Stefano Sannino concerning AI-enabled security solutions under the Pact for the Mediterranean.
No public evidence identified in the accessible replacement source confirming a meeting on 16 January 2026 concerning European command-and-control capabilities and fragmentation between national systems.
No public evidence identified in the accessible replacement source establishing the agenda of the previously reported November 2025 Mediterranean security meeting or any Helsing position on Israel, Palestine, settlements, or Gaza expressed during that meeting.
No public evidence identified of Helsing lobbying specifically for Israeli military assistance, settlement recognition, anti-BDS legislation, or restrictions on Palestinian political advocacy.
Corporate political financing
Helsing’s July 2024 Series C financing announcement identifies General Catalyst, Elad Gil, Accel, Saab, Lightspeed, Plural, and Greenoaks among participating investors.3
Its June 2025 Series D announcement identifies Prima Materia as lead investor, alongside several existing and new investors.5
On 13 July 2026, Helsing announced a $1.8 billion Series E financing round involving institutional investors including Dragoneer, Lightspeed, Iconiq, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, JPMorganChase, CPP Investments, General Catalyst, Plural, and Stepstone.6
These announcements document equity financing of Helsing’s defence business.3, 5, 6
No public evidence identified of corporate donations by Helsing to the IDF, Friends of the IDF, JNF/KKL, Israeli reservist organisations, settlement advocacy organisations, or Israeli military-welfare funds.
Crisis asset mobilisation
In February 2025, Helsing stated that it was manufacturing 6,000 additional HX-2 strike drones for Ukraine and described its continuing delivery of HF-1 drones in cooperation with Ukrainian industry.4
The September 2025 ARX partnership cited Ukraine-based operational experience as part of its development of reconnaissance and strike capabilities.9
No public evidence identified of Helsing providing drones, surveillance software, AI infrastructure, logistics, or complimentary services to Israeli armed forces during the Gaza conflict.
Activity following international legal milestones
Helsing’s public statements documenting Ukrainian drone production in February 2025, European defence partnerships in September 2025 and February 2026, European Commission defence-industry consultations in May 2025, and the Destinus partnership in October 2026 all postdate 19 July 2024 and November 2024.4, 9, 10, 18, 7
No public evidence identified establishing Israel-Palestine-specific financial contributions, settlement support, or military assistance by Helsing after those dates.
Corporate Structure & Primary Mission
Founding and ownership
Lightspeed Venture Partners identifies Helsing as a privately held defence AI business founded in 2021 by Gundbert Scherf, Torsten Reil, and Niklas Köhler.19
Helsing’s July 2024 announcement identifies its strategy as developing AI-enabled defence technologies supporting European sovereignty and NATO’s eastern flank.3
The company’s June 2025 financing announcement identifies Prima Materia, founded by Daniel Ek, as the lead investor in its €600 million Series D financing.5
Helsing’s July 2026 announcement says the company remained predominantly European-owned following its $1.8 billion Series E financing.6
Current leadership and governance
Helsing’s 13 July 2026 disclosure identifies Daniel Ek and Tom Enders as co-chairmen, with Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, Denis Mercier, and the company’s founders serving on its board.6
Defense News independently reported the same board composition in July 2026 and identified Denis Mercier as a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation.20
Foundational mandate
Helsing’s public business description identifies the development and deployment of defence AI technologies for governments and military customers as its commercial purpose.14
Its 2024 funding announcement explicitly associates its mission with European defence, deterrence, and technological sovereignty.3
No public evidence identified of a corporate charter requiring Helsing to advance Israeli geopolitical objectives, participate in settlement activity, or provide privileged access to Israeli military institutions.
State ownership
Helsing described itself as predominantly European-owned in July 2026.6
No public evidence identified of an Israeli government ownership stake, Israeli state-held golden share, or Israeli government appointment right over Helsing’s board.
Executive & Leadership Footprint
Founders and executives
Lightspeed identifies Torsten Reil and Gundbert Scherf as co-founders and co-CEOs and Niklas Köhler as co-founder and president.19
The three founders jointly signed Helsing’s July 2024 financing statement concerning European defence capabilities.3
In June 2024, Gundbert Scherf publicly described Helsing’s commitment to developing autonomous air-combat capabilities through Project Centaur.15
Daniel Ek and Prima Materia
On 17 June 2025, Helsing announced that Prima Materia had led its €600 million financing round and quoted Daniel Ek in his capacity as Helsing chairman and Prima Materia founder.5
In July 2026, Helsing confirmed that Ek continued as co-chairman alongside Tom Enders.6
During 2025, artists including Massive Attack publicly opposed Ek’s investment in Helsing and withdrew music from Spotify.12, 13
The EBU’s November 2025 investigation reported that some public allegations connected Helsing to Israeli military operations without supporting evidence, while confirming the underlying Ek-Helsing investment relationship.2
Board affiliations
Helsing’s July 2026 disclosure identifies former Airbus executive Tom Enders, investor Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, and former NATO commander Denis Mercier among its board members.6, 20
Helsing’s July 2024 disclosure identifies Saab as an investor and strategic defence partner.3
Personal philanthropy and financing
No public evidence identified of verified personal contributions by Gundbert Scherf, Torsten Reil, Niklas Köhler, Daniel Ek, Tom Enders, Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, or Denis Mercier to FIDF, JNF/KKL, Israeli settlement organisations, or Israeli reservist-support funds.
No public evidence identified of personal or family-foundation grants from these principals supporting Israeli military operations or settlement expansion.
Regional political advocacy
No public evidence identified of these principals holding leadership positions in AIPAC, CFI, FIDF, Regavim, Im Tirtzu, or organisations advocating for Israeli settlement expansion.
No public evidence identified of these principals participating in documented pro-settlement fundraising events, advocating anti-BDS legislation, or publicly endorsing settlement expansion in their capacity as Helsing leaders.
Executive responses to the conflict
Helsing’s corporate statement of 18 September 2025 denied deployment of its technology in war zones outside Ukraine.1
The EBU’s November 2025 investigation reported that Helsing’s denial and Spotify’s public clarification followed artist and consumer criticism relating to Ek’s investment.2
No public evidence identified of a separate signed statement by Helsing’s controlling principals endorsing Israeli military operations in Gaza or Israeli settlement policy.
Footnotes
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Helsing, “Statement,” 18 September 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20260512032344/https://helsing.ai/newsroom/statement ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
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European Broadcasting Union, “Behind the Spotify boycott: Daniel Ek, military AI, and the misinformation linking Helsing to Israel,” 28 November 2025. https://spotlight.ebu.ch/p/behind-the-spotify-boycott-daniel ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7
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Helsing, “Helsing further strengthens European defence capabilities with funding round,” 11 July 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20260606083348/https://helsing.ai/newsroom/helsing-further-strengthens-european-defence-capabilities-with-funding-round ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10
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Helsing, “Helsing to produce 6,000 additional strike drones for Ukraine,” 13 February 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20260410233735/https://helsing.ai/newsroom/helsing-to-produce-6000-additional-strike-drones-for-ukraine ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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Helsing, “Helsing raises €600m to invest in European technological sovereignty,” 17 June 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20260410231727/https://helsing.ai/newsroom/helsing-raises-eur600m-to-invest-in-european-technological-sovereignty ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5
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Tech.eu, “European defencetech leader Helsing secures $1.8B Series E at $18B valuation,” 13 July 2026. https://tech.eu/2026/07/13/european-defence-ai-leader-helsing-secures-18b-series-e-at-18b-valuation/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8
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Destinus, “Helsing and Destinus establish a commercial partnership,” 20 October 2026. https://www.destinus.com/post/helsing-and-destinus-establish-a-commercial-partnership ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Helsing, “AI backbone for FCAS operational,” 29 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20260309021840/https://helsing.ai/newsroom/ai-backbone-for-fcas-operational ↩ ↩2
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Helsing, “Helsing and ARX Robotics Announce Strategic Partnership,” 9 September 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/20260217022304/https://helsing.ai/newsroom/helsing-and-arx-robotics-announce-strategic-partnership ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Helsing, “HENSOLDT and Helsing join forces for autonomous combat aircraft CA-1 Europa,” 12 February 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20260512032242/https://helsing.ai/newsroom/hensoldt-and-helsing-join-forces-for-autonomous-combat-aircraft-ca-1-europa ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Euronews, “We don’t want our music killing people: Artists revolt against Spotify over AI warfare ties,” 30 July 2025. https://www.euronews.com/2025/07/30/we-dont-want-our-music-killing-people-artists-revolt-against-spotify-over-ai-warfare-ties ↩
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The Guardian, “Massive Attack remove music from Spotify to protest against CEO Daniel Ek’s investment in AI military,” 18 September 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/sep/18/massive-attack-remove-music-from-spotify-to-protest-ceo-daniel-eks-investment-in-ai-military ↩ ↩2
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Euronews, “Massive Attack pull their music from Spotify and platforms in Israel,” 19 September 2025. https://www.euronews.com/2025/09/19/massive-attack-pull-their-music-from-spotify-and-platforms-in-israel ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Helsing, corporate website and product descriptions, accessed 22 October 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20261017071426/https://helsing.ai/ ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Airframer, “Helsing announces Project Centaur: autonomy for air combat,” Helsing press release reproduced 3 June 2024. https://www.airframer.com/news/release/helsing-announces-project-centaur-autonomy-for-air-combat ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Invest in Estonia, “DefenceTech startup Helsing raises €450M, comes to Estonia,” July 2024. https://investinestonia.com/defencetech-startup-helsing-raises-e450m-comes-to-estonia/ ↩ ↩2
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UK Government, “UK and Germany to jointly hunt Russian submarines from Lossiemouth one year after landmark defence agreement,” 2025. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-germany-to-jointly-hunt-russian-submarines-from-lossiemouth-one-year-after-landmark-defence-agreement ↩
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European Commission, “Commission Staff Working Document - Defence Readiness Omnibus,” SWD(2025) 820 final, Annex B, stakeholder consultation and implementation dialogues, 2025. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1762254667662&uri=SWD%3A2025%3A820%3AFIN ↩ ↩2 ↩3
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Lightspeed Venture Partners, “Helsing,” investor company profile, accessed 22 October 2026. https://lsvp.com/company/helsing/ ↩ ↩2
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Defense News, “Helsing raises $1.8 billion in Europe’s biggest defense-startup round,” 13 July 2026. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/07/13/helsing-raises-18-billion-in-europes-biggest-defense-startup-round/ ↩ ↩2