A skirmish is impossible without a prior struggle.
Circus SE, a leading provider of AI-controlled, fully autonomous systems in the civilian food supply sector, has made a significant strategic shift by entering the defense industry. This move comes after the company received NATO certification for defense contracts, qualifying it as an official supplier for NATO and its member nations as of August 2025 [1][2].
The approval by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) grants Circus SE access to NATO-wide defense, logistics, and crisis response procurement programs across all member states, enabling participation in major defense tenders and direct contract awards that were previously inaccessible to the company [1][2]. As a result, Circus SE now finds itself listed alongside established defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall in NATO procurement listings [1][2].
This NATO certification confirms that Circus SE meets strict alliance standards in security, quality, and financial criteria, including AQAP (Allied Quality Assurance Publications) and relevant ISO certifications [1][2]. Their technology offerings, notably fully autonomous AI-robotics systems like CA-1 and CA-M, align with NATO’s growing emphasis on autonomous and technology-driven defense solutions, marking Circus as a pioneering supplier in this domain [1][2]. The certification also streamlines contracting processes through NATO’s digital procurement systems [1].
Jan Hesselbarth, with over 20 years of military NATO experience, has been appointed as Vice President of Circus SE's defense division. His role is to drive the development and deployment of autonomous supply systems in the defense sector [1]. This strategic expansion is expected to unlock significant growth and expansion opportunities for Circus SE in the defense sector. CEO Nikolas Bullwinkel has highlighted that the NATO certification “unlocks the next phase of global expansion” and strengthens the company’s position in defense applications, allowing it to contribute actively to mission-critical operations across all member states [1][2].
With this certification complementing previous U.S. government and Department of Defense approvals, Circus SE is well-positioned to become a reliable and rapidly deployable partner for AI-powered nutrition systems in field operations, military exercises, and emergency missions [1][2]. The defense industry, with its increasing demand for autonomous solutions, is expected to provide a lucrative market for Circus SE, given its technology designed for 24/7 operation [1][2].
It is important to note that Heidelberger Druckmaschinen, another company, has also joined the defense market trend [1]. The order volume in the defense industry may take time to increase significantly, but the certification opens the next phase of Circus's global expansion [1].
Circus SE (WKN: A2YN35) is the stock symbol for Circus Group. The stock price of Circus Group surged up to 33% on Tuesday, but it has not been specified if this refers to the recent surge or a previous one [1]. Talks with several NATO armed forces are already underway, with the first contracts expected later this year [1].
In summary, Circus SE's NATO certification represents a major strategic advancement, elevating the company from primarily a food service AI robotics provider to a certified defense contractor with access to multinational procurement programs and an expanded role in autonomous defense technologies [1][2][3]. Future prospects look promising as defense markets increasingly prioritize AI-driven autonomous systems, and Circus stands out as a leader in this niche.
Key points: - NATO certification by NSPA received August 2025, certifying Circus SE as an official NATO supplier [1][2]. - Access granted to defense contracts, logistics, crisis response programs across all NATO member states [1][2]. - Compliance with stringent NATO security, quality, and financial standards including AQAP and ISO [1][2]. - Circus is the first registered NATO supplier offering fully autonomous AI-robotics systems for defense [1][2]. - Positioned alongside major defense contractors in procurement listings (e.g., Lockheed Martin) [1][2]. - Expected acceleration in global defense expansion and participation in mission-critical operations [1][2]. - Complements prior U.S. government and Department of Defense supplier approvals [1][2]. - Well-placed for growth as NATO increasingly demands autonomous, technology-driven defense solutions [1][2]. - Circus SE headquartered in Munich, Germany. - New defense division strategically expands Circus's business into the defense sector. - Talks with several NATO armed forces are already underway, with the first contracts expected later this year. - Circus Group has received NATO certification for defense contracts. - The order volume in the defense industry may take time to increase significantly. - The certification opens the next phase of Circus's global expansion. - Circus SE (WKN: A2YN35) is the stock symbol for Circus Group.
The NATO certification for defense contracts awards Circus SE access to various procurement programs across all member states, allowing them to participate in significant defense tenders and secure direct contract awards. This certification also verifies that Circus SE meets stringent alliance standards in security, quality, and financial criteria, including AQAP and ISO certifications.
