• Japan's army is field-testing Helsing's HX-2 strike drone until end of September, with Rakuten acting as local brokerage partner.

  • Rakuten aims to help defense startups navigate Japan's complex procurement system amid a broader military spending and export-rule expansion.

  • Helsing, Europe's best-funded defence startup after a $1.8 billion raise, already supplies drones to Ukraine and European governments.