Japanese media revealed that the Rakuten Group will collaborate with the German defense technology startup Helsing to assist in introducing AI-powered, autonomously operated attack drones to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. The two parties are also considering future cooperation in mass-producing such AI-equipped attack drones in Japan.
The Nikkei reported on August 17 that the Rakuten Group will partner with Helsing. As Helsing has not yet formally entered the Japanese market, Rakuten Group will serve as the contact point to help this German startup propose relevant solutions. Both parties will collaborate with the Ground Self-Defense Force to conduct field tests on Helsing drones. The testing is expected to last until the end of September, after which a decision will be made on whether to formally introduce them.
Rakuten Group will also assist Helsing in sharing the latest product information to attract more orders from Japan. The two sides have even included considerations for collaborating on mass production in Japan.
Rakuten Group is a large Japanese technology and internet company founded in 1997, with businesses ranging from e-commerce, fintech, mobile communication, digital content to travel services. The group has been operating drone-related businesses since about 2015 and has accumulated a certain level of experience in operating drones domestically.
Through this collaboration with the German startup, Rakuten hopes to generate substantial revenue by helping overseas companies introduce products into Japan, a business model similar to that of Japanese trading companies.
Helsing is one of Europe’s largest “unicorns” (startup companies valued at over $1 billion and not yet listed) enterprises. In July this year, Helsing raised $1.8 billion from investors including Goldman Sachs, bringing the company’s valuation to $18 billion.
Helsing specializes in developing AI-powered drones capable of autonomous operation and attack, including the HX-2 attack drone. The company currently produces such aerial vehicles for Ukraine and plans to supply drones to the German military.
Since 2025, Rakuten has been collaborating with the Ukrainian defense technology platform Brave1 to assist Ukrainian defense startups in entering the Japanese market. Both parties have jointly promoted the participation of six startups, including autonomous drone technology company Swarmer, in the Japan Defense Security Exhibition (DSEI Japan). However, there is currently no public information indicating that substantial commercial orders have been finalized.
The Japan Defense Security Exhibition is held biennially in Japan, allowing the Japanese government, self-defense forces, defense companies, and overseas military and defense technology companies to showcase their technologies, negotiate collaborations, and make procurements. In 2025, over 470 companies participated in the exhibition.
This collaboration also reflects the growing defense partnership between Germany and Japan. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is expected to make his first visit to Japan in late October, during which he may meet with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takai to discuss issues such as security in the Indo-Pacific region and drone technology. During Merz’s visit, representatives from defense enterprises will also accompany him to explore possibilities for collaboration with Japanese companies.