Laser-C-UAS Stark and Inleap Photonics Forge Strategic Partnership for Laser‑based Drone Defence

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Inleap Photonics and Stark combine technology and operational experience to bring laser‑based drone defence to market faster — for armed forces and critical infrastructure. Inleap Fastlight Shield will be integrated into Stark’s unmanned systems, delivering practical, operationally viable solutions for military and security‑critical applications.

Inleap Photonics, a Hanover‑based start‑up for laser‑based drone defence, and Stark, a leading German defence company in the field of unmanned systems, today announce a strategic partnership at Hannover Messe 2026. The collaboration was presented at a meeting with Olaf Lies, Minister‑President of Lower Saxony. At the heart of the partnership is the integration of Inleap Fastlight Shield into Stark’s unmanned systems, including the Vanta family of unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

The partnership is founded on the combination of technological expertise and operational experience. Stark brings cross‑domain, operational know‑how with modern unmanned systems and is actively expanding its system approach in the C‑UAS (Counter‑Unmanned Aircraft Systems) domain. Inleap Photonics contributes its in‑house developed, ultra‑fast technology Inleap Fastlight Shield, which can intercept drones with a laser in under one second. The Hanover team also provides extensive expertise in laser beam steering and laser systems engineering. Together they aim to deliver solutions that are technologically precise, operationally relevant and rapidly transferable into real‑world deployments.

“With Stark we have gained a partner that combines experience, system understanding and an application perspective,” says Dr Marius Lammers, co‑founder and CEO of Inleap Photonics. “For us this partnership is an important step to accelerate the rollout of Inleap Fastlight Shield into relevant applications, to integrate it into existing platforms and to jointly develop robust, high‑technology solutions for operational use.”

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Accelerating C‑UAS market entry

The partnership is intended as a long‑term collaboration and may include joint development of additional counter‑drone solutions. The aim is to significantly speed up the market introduction and scaling of advanced C‑UAS technologies for military users and operators of critical infrastructure.

“It is crucial that new technologies are not considered in isolation but can be rapidly integrated into existing systems and operational requirements,” says Jan‑Patrick Helmsen, CSO of Stark. “Stark pursues an integrated approach that brings together different technologies in a targeted way. Inleap’s laser‑based defence complements our systems and strengthens our ability to deliver ready‑to‑use solutions.”

Technology development from Lower Saxony

Inleap Photonics’ rapid progress to this stage is also due to targeted support and a strong tech‑oriented start‑up environment in Lower Saxony. “Inleap Photonics demonstrates the potential of young technology companies from Lower Saxony,” says Olaf Lies, Minister‑President of Lower Saxony. “The integration of laser technology into Stark’s overall system approach underlines the important contribution that young defence‑tech firms make to Germany’s defence capabilities. Where innovation, entrepreneurial courage and reliable support come together, solutions with high technological and economic relevance are born.”

With their strategic partnership, Inleap Photonics and Stark lay the groundwork for the next development stage of modern, German‑made drone defence.