Hiraiwa: Strategic Assessment of a Belgian Battlefield Protection Startup
In the wake of unprecedented battlefield challenges revealed by the Ukraine war, a new Belgian defense startup is quietly redefining front-line protection. Hiraiwa Defence Solutions, founded in 2024 and headquartered in Brussels, develops ultra-portable systems to safeguard soldiers against modern threats. Drones, improvised explosives, and other asymmetric weapons have eroded the traditional advantages of larger armies; Hiraiwa’s mission is to tilt the balance back in the defender’s favor. With a motto of “We Save Lives,” this young company designs nimble technologies – from mesh sensor networks to drone countermeasures – that can be deployed in austere conditions with minimal support. Its innovations are already attracting attention for their pragmatic focus: Hiraiwa leverages real combat feedback (notably from Ukraine’s front lines) to ensure its devices meet soldiers’ needs. By insisting on EU-based production and low dependency supply chains, the startup positions itself at the nexus of European strategic autonomy and battlefield ingenuity. Readers intrigued by how a small European firm can enhance NATO deterrence and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers will find Hiraiwa’s story a compelling glimpse into the future of defense technology in Europe.