Hypersonica is developing hypersonic deep-strike systems while the UK and Germany pursue longer-range weapons under a 2024 defense pact.
The Independent said the Financial Times reported a €100 million (£83.5 million) funding round. The Independent separately identified venture capital firms Lightspeed and General Catalyst as lead investors. EconoTimes previously covered Hypersonica’s funding and missile program. The Independent placed the financing in a broader European security debate, citing U.S. pressure for European countries to take greater responsibility for their defense and concern about a growing Russian threat.
The pact’s weapons agenda includes ground-launched missiles designed to travel more than 2,000 kilometers, as well as development work on advanced cruise and hypersonic glide weapons, The Independent reported. Its account did not identify Hypersonica’s planned missile as one of those projects and gave no range for the startup’s weapon.
John Healey signed the agreement in 2024 while serving as the UK’s defense secretary. He is now the country’s chancellor. The Independent discussed Hypersonica’s missile development separately from the pact’s listed weapons work.
The company says it completed a test flight at hypersonic speed and describes itself as the first private European defense company to do so. The Independent also reported that the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation has supported the startup.
The UK has pursued other long-range weapons work. The Independent reported that Britain tested new long-range strike weapons earlier in the summer, with delivery to Ukraine envisioned within months. It described that effort as aiming to shorten production time and reduce costs compared with systems such as Storm Shadow. The outlet also reported that the UK has no hypersonic missiles in operational military service.
