DEUTZ, a German system provider for mobility and energy solutions, and ARX Robotics, a European defense technology company developing next-generation unmanned ground systems, have announced plans for a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Europe’s defense innovation.
According to a joint statement issued on October 16, DEUTZ intends to become the lead investor in an upcoming strategic funding round for ARX Robotics as part of its expansion into the defense sector. The funding round, which also includes other investors, is expected to close in the coming weeks.
“Unmanned and semi-autonomous defense systems are set to play an increasingly critical and central role for armed forces of the future,” said DEUTZ CEO Dr. Sebastian Schulte. “That is why we are combining ARX Robotics’ leading software and robotics expertise with our strengths in drive systems, decentralized energy supply, and industrial production. These types of partnerships ‘made in Germany’ are what we need to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities for the long term.”
As noted by the company, the partnership will focus on integrating DEUTZ’s drive systems into ARX Robotics’ unmanned ground vehicles. Initial efforts will use battery-powered drives, followed by compact internal combustion engines and hybrid powertrains. The two companies will also develop an interface connecting DEUTZ’s propulsion technology to ARX’s AI-driven software platform, Mithra OS, enabling intelligent coordination between power systems and autonomous control software.
DEUTZ will further contribute through its Energy and NewTech business units by providing energy infrastructure solutions such as generators, battery storage systems, and swappable power modules for field operations. In return, ARX Robotics will gain access to DEUTZ’s global production and service network, allowing the rapid scaling of manufacturing and reliable worldwide support.
Marc Wietfeld, co-founder and CEO of ARX Robotics, called the partnership a major step toward securing Europe’s technological sovereignty and strengthening Germany’s industrial base.
“Working with DEUTZ, we are combining the intelligence of our Mithra OS platform and vehicle systems with high-quality drive systems, mobile energy, and industrial manufacturing,” Wietfeld said. “This will enable us to deliver unmanned systems to troops more quickly, increase availability and reliability during deployment, and to create the basis for scaling up in Europe. Our remit remains unchanged: protect soldiers, help to streamline logistics, and build up extensive capabilities.”
The partnership builds on ARX Robotics’ recent collaboration with drone manufacturer Helsing, under which the companies are developing an AI-based reconnaissance and strike network for European defense. Both firms are drawing on operational lessons from Ukraine, where integrated unmanned systems are playing a growing role in ground warfare and networked operations.
DEUTZ’s expansion into the defense market follows a series of strategic acquisitions and partnerships in the unmanned systems sector. Earlier in September, the company acquired SOBEK, a leading manufacturer of drone drive systems, positioning itself as a comprehensive system provider for unmanned defense technologies.