European Defense Sovereignty Starts in the Factory: Stark’s Uwe Horstmann and Johannes Schaback

European defense requires a fundamental shift toward sovereign responsibility, necessitating a new generation of agile, software-defined, and mass-scalable weapon systems. Stark, a defense technology company, addresses this by integrating engineering directly with battlefield feedback, prioritizing usability for enlisted personnel over traditional top-down procurement. By treating hardware development like a venture-backed startup, the company rapidly iterates on strike drones and autonomous systems, emphasizing modularity and industrial-scale manufacturing. This approach replaces expensive, exquisite systems with cost-effective, AI-driven solutions that can be updated frequently. Beyond specific products, the core objective is to build a resilient innovation ecosystem capable of rapid surge capacity in conflict. By aligning technical development with the practical needs of soldiers and establishing sustainable supply chains, these efforts aim to restore European defense capabilities and strengthen transatlantic cooperation.