Helsing IPO in 2027? Hensoldt Expands Drone Partnership as First Hydrogen Eyes Robotics Re-Rating

First Hydrogen: Will AI Robots Drive the Shares Higher?

First Hydrogen is pushing ahead with the diversification of its business model and expanding its activities from hydrogen mobility into the drone sector. First Hydrogen CEO Balraj Mann increasingly views autonomous systems as a key technology in light of changes in the defence, security, and disaster response sectors. By building its own AI expertise, the company aims to further develop its UGV program for autonomous navigation, situational awareness, and drone defence, while simultaneously expanding its strategy at the intersection of clean energy, mobility, and robotics.

The focus is on developing an AI-powered platform for unmanned ground vehicles that could be used for reconnaissance, logistics, troop protection, and drone defence, among other applications. In light of increasingly complex drone attacks, the company sees a growing need for mobile, intelligent ground systems that expand security perimeters while reducing the direct threat to emergency responders.

The company also plans to rely heavily on artificial intelligence. The planned AI development work will focus on autonomous navigation, object recognition, sensor fusion, threat detection, mission planning, and operator assistance. This would enable the platform to operate more independently in dynamic operational environments, evaluate information in real time, and transport various sensors or payloads directly to the respective mission site.

Technologically, First Hydrogen is relying on a robust, modular UGV with a folding-chassis architecture, articulated leg-wheel units, interchangeable mission modules, and amphibious capabilities. This is intended to make the vehicle deployable even in difficult terrain, coastal regions, ports, industrial facilities, and remote infrastructure areas. By combining clean energy, artificial intelligence, and autonomous mobility, First Hydrogen is positioning itself in a high-growth market of the future that is expected to benefit from rising investments in drone technology, infrastructure protection, and modern defence systems.

Against this backdrop, the market capitalization of approximately CAD 19 million appears anything but high and opens up room for a revaluation of the stock.

Hensoldt Expands Partnership with Helsing

The development of autonomous combat aircraft is currently one of the most exciting defence projects in Germany. In addition to Helsing, Airbus and Rheinmetall are also working with Boeing on prototypes. Helsing is being supported by Hensoldt in the development of the CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft. After a strategic partnership between the two companies was agreed upon in February, it was recently expanded. Hensoldt is supplying its CAIRAS passive infrared missile warning system for the first time. The first three systems are to be deployed on the CA-1 Europa. The contract marks the first concrete project in the field of self-defence and passive optronic reconnaissance since the two companies entered into their strategic partnership. CAIRAS will be integrated into the AMPS-MR self-defence suite, which also includes the Kalætron radar warning receiver and a decoy deployment system.** The infrared system passively detects incoming missiles—that is, without emitting any detectable signals of its own. Up to seven sensors enable 360-degree spherical coverage, localization of incoming fire and a reduced false-alarm rate.

In addition, the infrared data will be processed into a real-time panoramic image and integrated into the CA-1 Europa's situational assessment. Since there is no pilot on board the unmanned aircraft to assess the threat situation, reliable and machine-processable sensor data is particularly important for autonomous responses. The data can be merged with additional information via the MDOcore software suite, thereby improving the system's reconnaissance and self-defence capabilities.

Helsing: IPO in 2027?

The CA-1 Europa is an autonomous combat aircraft developed by Helsing, designed for AI-supported operations in modern air combat scenarios. According to Hensoldt, the program is progressing on schedule. The V-tail has already been fully manufactured. As for the wings, the central components—such as the upper and lower skins—are complete. The next step will be to assemble these components into complete wings.

Helsing is currently arguably the most valuable defence tech company in Europe. In its most recent funding round, the Munich-based company raised USD 1.8 billion and was valued at USD 18 billion. According to information from "Handelsblatt", Helsing could be aiming for an initial public offering as early as 2027. However, the company has not yet officially confirmed a specific IPO timeline.

In the future, drones will be an indispensable part of both civilian and military life. With Helsing, Germany has an exciting IPO candidate. Hensoldt is likely to benefit from this megatrend with its technology. First Hydrogen is an exciting newcomer in the sector with potential for revaluation.