In the midst of Europe’s ongoing race to better deterrence, one Estonian defence startup has pulled off one of the industry’s most significant hires in recent months. Frankenburg Technologies, barely a year old but rapidly making its voice heard in the missile defence sector, has appointed Andreas Bappert, one of Europe’s most respected rocket experts, as its Director of Engineering.
Mr. Bappert has formidable credentials; his three-decade career in rocket development began at Luftwaffe, Germany’s air force, before spanning multiple rocket programmes across Europe and the United States. At DIEHL Defence, his most recent position, he oversaw air defence systems development and helped secure several billion euros in contracts over just two years.
“Bappert is Europe’s premier rocket talent,” says Kusti Salm, Frankenburg’s CEO, who recently transitioned from a role as Permanent Secretary at Estonia’s Ministry of Defence to lead the startup. “This is exactly what we’re aiming for as we develop technology that can win wars.”
Besides Salm, the former Estonian defence forces commander, General Martin Herem joined the startup as an adviser, bringing decades of military strategic experience. They’re backed by Taavi Madiberk, known for his success with Skeleton Technologies, who serves as both majority shareholder and strategic visionary.
The timing of Bappert’s appointment is telling. Frankenburg recently announced plans to test its air defence rockets in Ukraine in early 2025, while simultaneously preparing to establish operations in the United Kingdom. The company has committed €50M for research and development into low-cost rocket motors in Britain, part of a broader strategy to integrate with Western European defence infrastructure.
What has attracted such talent to a startup in Tallinn? Bappert’s answer: “What Frankenburg is attempting represents the future of the rocket industry,” he said on his first day at the company. “It’s the only genuine industrial strategy that ensures Europe’s freedom and prosperity.”
The company’s ambitious goal — to develop missile systems that are ten times more affordable and can be produced a hundred times faster than current alternatives — might seem implausible coming from a traditional defence contractor. But Frankenburg’s unconventional approach, including operations across Estonia, Latvia, and Ukraine, has attracted serious attention and investment.
The company has already secured agreements for testing in Ukraine, where Frankenburg’s promises of faster, cheaper missile production will face their first real-world test. In Latvia, where Frankenburg collaborates with rocket constructor Andrejs Puķītis, prototype rockets have achieved altitudes exceeding one kilometre.
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