From Eurofighter to AI-powered airpower: Wolfgang Gammel steps in at Grob Aircraft

The news that Helsing is acquiring Grob Aircraft marks a significant moment — not only for the Bavarian aviation manufacturer but also for the broader evolution of Europe’s defence industrial base. At the heart of this transformation stands Wolfgang Gammel, Managing Director of Helsing Germany, who will now also take on executive leadership at Grob Aircraft.

Gammel is far from a newcomer to the defence sector. A trained engineer with a Master’s in Production Engineering and further qualifications in business and national security strategy, he brings over two decades of hands-on leadership experience — from Eurofighter GmbH, where he served as COO and interim CEO, to senior roles at Airbus Defence and Space. He is also a reserve officer of the German Air Force, combining industrial and operational thinking in a way few executives can claim.

Since joining Helsing in late 2024, Gammel has helped steer the company’s rapid expansion in domains such as electronic warfare, FCAS, and AI-enabled drone systems. His leadership coincided with key deliveries to Ukraine and a growing footprint across European defence ecosystems.

Now, with the acquisition of Grob Aircraft, his new role is clear: to fuse Helsing’s cutting-edge AI and software capabilities with Grob’s deep roots in aircraft manufacturing and pilot training systems. The strategic intent is evident — strengthening Germany and Europe’s defence readiness by creating a homegrown platform for next-generation aerial capabilities.

Gammel has made it clear that Grob’s brand identity will remain intact. “The Grob Aircraft name is a strong brand — and it will stay,” he said in a recent interview. At the same time, he confirmed plans to expand the workforce in Mattsies and align the company’s growth with Bavaria’s ambition to become a national hub for AI and aerospace innovation.

This acquisition fills a crucial capability gap: Helsing had the software, but not the production base. Grob offers exactly that — with proven export experience, global training networks, and in-house composite aircraft expertise. “We’ve worked together successfully for some time. Now we’re taking the next step,” Gammel stated. And it’s a logical step: combining industrial excellence with disruptive tech to serve a very clear purpose — strengthening European security.

At ACE, we will be following this integration closely. Both companies have appeared in our reporting in recent years — Grob as a symbol of resilience and technological ingenuity; Helsing as a rising force in defence AI. With Wolfgang Gammel now in charge of connecting both worlds, the expectations are high — and the foundations look solid.

Photo credit: Helsing
By: Katerina Urbanová, EIC, ACE