German defence contractor Helsing has introduced an AI-based data platform for the rapid processing of battlefield data, positioning the Clarity software as a direct European competitor to US-based Palantir Technologies.

Clarity uses intelligence from satellites, front-line sensors and reconnaissance drones to identify enemy assets, then packages targeting data for human operators, in an effort to speed up manual processes, Helsing said.

Sovereign technology

The software runs on customer-owned infrastructure rather than external servers and adheres to NATO standards and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) principles, ensuring compatibility with existing military hardware, said the Munich-based company.

The technology is “developed and built in Europe, under European control”, Helsing stated.

The launch comes at a time when European countries are seeking alternatives to US-based technology for critical tasks, with France actively transitioning its intelligence services from Palantir to domestic technology.

Helsing, founded in 2021, makes software using AI to rapidly analyse sensor and weapons system data, and in December 2024 began manufacturing its own strike drones, starting with the HX-2 model.

In January, Bloomberg reported that Ukraine had halted orders of the HX-2 after its 14th Regiment, which specialises in unmanned aerial systems, experienced technical failures when testing the drones in front-line conditions.

Several drones failed to take off and some lacked the AI technology indicated in the system’s design, Bloomberg reported at the time.