diff --git a/class/defaults.yml b/class/defaults.yml
index 9c1c214..15fa599 100644
--- a/class/defaults.yml
+++ b/class/defaults.yml
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ parameters:
       k8up:
         registry: ghcr.io
         repository: k8up-io/k8up
-        tag: v2.15.0
+        tag: v2.16.1
         pullPolicy: IfNotPresent
 
     helmReleaseName: k8up
diff --git a/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/cleanup-hook.yaml b/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/cleanup-hook.yaml
index 9b39975..dc8563d 100644
--- a/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/cleanup-hook.yaml
+++ b/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/cleanup-hook.yaml
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ spec:
           command:
             - sh
             - -c
-          image: ghcr.io/k8up-io/k8up:v2.15.0
+          image: ghcr.io/k8up-io/k8up:v2.16.1
           imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
           name: k8up-cleanup
       restartPolicy: Never
diff --git a/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/deployment.yaml b/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/deployment.yaml
index 0eb9d28..3cd43fc 100644
--- a/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/deployment.yaml
+++ b/tests/golden/defaults/backup-k8up/backup-k8up/01_k8up_helmchart/k8up/templates/deployment.yaml
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ spec:
             - operator
           env:
             - name: BACKUP_IMAGE
-              value: ghcr.io/k8up-io/k8up:v2.15.0
+              value: ghcr.io/k8up-io/k8up:v2.16.1
             - name: TZ
               value: Etc/UTC
             - name: BACKUP_ENABLE_LEADER_ELECTION
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ spec:
               value: k8up.io/backupcommand
             - name: BACKUP_BACKOFFLIMIT
               value: '2'
-          image: ghcr.io/k8up-io/k8up:v2.15.0
+          image: ghcr.io/k8up-io/k8up:v2.16.1
           imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
           livenessProbe:
             httpGet: