At a time of fragile global security, developing a fearsome defence capability sits close to the top of Europe’s political agenda. So, it was with interest that I saw Hypersonica close its €100 million ( US$ 111.4 million ) Series B funding round in recent days. The funds will help the Anglo-German defence and aerospace company accelerate the development of high-speed hypersonic deep-strike missile systems and glide vehicles to ( in its own words ) “build Europe’s sovereign deterrence”.