The Munich-based AI startup Helsing is moving forward with its ambitious plans to establish a “Resilience Factory” in Hallbergmoos, a move that could solidify Bavaria‘s status as a premier European defense-tech hub.
On March 25, 2026, Bavarian Economy Minister Hubert Aiwanger, alongside Helsing‘s Germany Managing Director Wolfgang Gammel and Hallbergmoos Mayor Sebastian Henn, officially presented the project details. This followed a unanimous vote by the local municipal council to repurpose 45 hectares at Senderwiese for the facility.
The “Resilience Factory”: Speed and Sovereign Scale
The core concept behind the Resilience Factory is a radical departure from traditional, slow-moving defense manufacturing. Helsing aims to build facilities that can be operational in months rather than years, focusing on “intelligent mass”—high-volume, software-defined hardware like autonomous drones.
- Strategic Location: The proximity to Munich (23 minutes by S-Bahn), the international airport, and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) makes Hallbergmoos an ideal intersection for research and logistics.
- Scale of Investment: The project is massive, with 120,000 square meters planned for the first stage and a total of 250,000 square meters secured for future expansion and supplier integration.
- Economic Impact: While exact figures remain under wraps, Minister Aiwanger expects the project to create hundreds of high-skilled jobs, further insulating the region from industrial shifts.
From Software to Hardware: Helsing’s Evolving Arsenal
Founded only in 2021, Helsing has rapidly transitioned from a pure AI software developer to a defense manufacturer. Its products are already making waves in modern conflict zones, particularly in Ukraine.
- HX-2 Strike Drone: A centerpiece of the Hallbergmoos vision is the HX-2, an AI-powered strike drone designed for mass production. It features advanced electronic warfare resistance and swarm capabilities, with a range of up to 100 km.
- CA-1 Europa Fighter Jet: In the Allgäu region (Tussenhausen), Helsing‘s subsidiary Grob Aircraft is developing the CA-1 Europa, an autonomous uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) in the 3-to-5 ton class.
- Strategic Alliances: In December 2025, Helsing signed a Memorandum of Understanding with industrial giant Schaeffler. This partnership is crucial for scaling drone production, as Schaeffler will handle the manufacturing and procurement of key electronic components and help secure critical semiconductor supply chains.
A New Era of Defense Manufacturing
The phrase “We have everything except time” serves as the company’s unofficial motto. With the first “Resilience Factory” (RF-1) already operational in Southern Germany producing over 1,000 HX-2s monthly, the Hallbergmoos site (RF-2) is poised to be an even higher-throughput facility.Construction is expected to begin in approximately one year, following the completion of municipal zoning and bureaucratic procedures. By then, Bavaria will not just be a center for automotive excellence but a global leader in AI-driven sovereign defense.
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