Helsing and Stark Set to Win German Drone Order as Rheinmetall Lags

German defense start-ups Helsing and Stark Defence are set to receive military orders worth €300 million each to deliver loitering munitions for a German armored brigade in Lithuania, while local giant Rheinmetall AG will be passed over for now, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Defense Ministry plans to award both companies contracts in a procurement document that parliament is expected to approve in the last week of February, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity as the matter is confidential.