German STARK Defence to expand Ukrainian presence with new R&D centre

European defence technology company STARK Defence has announced the opening of a new research and development (R&D) centre in Ukraine, aimed at strengthening its regional presence. The announcement was made ahead of the Munich Security Conference.

According to Stark, the R&D centre will cover an area of more than 2,000 square metres and is designed to house over 200 specialists. The facility will focus on research, systems integration, training, and technical support. This move is expected to accelerate the transition from initial design to the serial production of unmanned technologies.

The company stated that developing systems close to their operational deployment areas will allow for faster adaptation of technologies based on real-world battlefield data.

In addition to research, the centre will provide local user training and continuous technical support. Stark also plans to establish local manufacturing capabilities and integrate regional supply chains.

Founded in 2023, Stark Defence specialises in advanced unmanned aerial systems, working closely with partners in Ukraine and across Europe. The company already maintains a representative office in Ukraine and has recently signed a contract to supply Virtus drones to a NATO member state, with the first deliveries scheduled for early 2026.