German Drone Startup Stark's Test Failures Spark Industry Debate

Berlin-based strike drone maker Stark failed recent military demonstrations with UK and German forces, creating ripples across the defense industry. The Financial Times reported that Stark's attack drones missed every target during multiple tests.

In one demonstration, Stark lost control of a drone that landed in the woods. Another test saw a drone battery catch fire. The mishaps occurred during four attempts with British forces in Kenya and German military near Munster last month.

Benjamin Wolba, who organizes defense tech events partnering with drone startups, says everyone in the industry is discussing the failures. Stark raised $100 million from major investors, including Sequoia Capital and Peter Thiel, in less than two years. Project A general partner, Uwe Horstmann, recently joined as CEO.

Nicola Sinclair, a Royal Air Force veteran who founded Twin Track Ventures, believes the reaction is overblown. She views public failures during trials as demonstrating trust and transparency rather than fundamental problems.

Stark maintains an optimistic stance publicly. The company emphasizes frequent testing and iteration as part of its development process. A recent LinkedIn job posting stated that some people comment from the sidelines while others build.