Arqus (trading as Arqus Aerospace) is a Munich-based deep-tech defence startup founded in early 2026 that is rewriting the economics of defence through AI-powered, directed-energy security systems. The company bridges autonomous edge-AI tracking modules with high-precision laser effectors to deliver an ITAR-free, software-defined security layer at an asymmetric cost-per-intercept of less than €0.10 — a fraction of the cost of legacy kinetic systems.

Arqus addresses three mission domains: (1) critical infrastructure protection (airports, power plants, harbours, electric grids, waterways) against mass-manufactured drone swarms; (2) mobile terrestrial platforms including unmanned and manned vehicles and ships; and (3) space defence, integrating bus-agnostic laser payloads onto satellite platforms to protect constellations from rendezvous-and-proximity operations, stalker satellites, and optical threats in orbit. The system features kHz-speed beam steering, EO/IR multi-target tracking, real-time damage assessment, and compact vacuum-compatible optomechanics.

Founded by former ESA engineer Marnix Meersman (CEO), robotics engineer Stijn Lafontaine (CTO), and Anton Liegert (COO), the team has already conducted successful tests with the German Army and is pursuing a demonstration in Ukraine. In March 2026, Arqus won the Dutch leg of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon and went on to place 3rd in the pan-European finals — one of Europe's top 3 ranked defence-tech innovations. No external funding rounds have been publicly disclosed to date; the company is exploring non-dilutive grants and defence procurement pathways.