European Defense
European Defense — Page 3
EU rearmament, European drone procurement, and NATO coverage.
Coverage
Serbia and Elbit Systems to Build Combat Drone Plant
Serbia's Yugoimport and Elbit Systems will open a joint drone manufacturing facility, with the Israeli firm holding a 51% stake in the venture.
Europe's Drone Procurement Runs 3-6 Months Behind the Tech
European defence procurement cycles are too slow for drone technology that evolves every three to six months, according to BCG analysis.
Japan Scraps Attack Helicopters, Buys Drones Instead
Japan's FY2026 defense budget allocates $70M for five wide-area UAVs to replace its entire attack and observation helicopter fleet.
Frontline and Quantum's German Drone Plant Wins a 2027 Order
The joint venture builds Ukrainian-designed Linza and Zoom drones in Germany. Ukraine's National Guard has ordered more for 2027; size undisclosed.
Ukraine, France Hold Defense Industry Matchmaking in Paris
27 Ukrainian drone makers met 60 French defense firms in Paris seeking co-production deals and European industrial ties.
FlyFocus Raises €4.5M for NATO UAV Production in Poland
Warsaw-based FlyFocus secured €4.5M led by ffVC to build a dedicated manufacturing facility and launch two new UAV platforms in 2026.
France Plans Up to 400% More Explosive Drones by 2030
The rise covers explosive drones, not the whole fleet. A Senate report says most of France's drone money still goes to a few big programmes.
Romania and Ukraine Negotiate €200M Joint Drone Deal
Ukrainian drone manufacturers are in Bucharest this week to finalise a joint production agreement funded through the EU's new SAFE rearmament mechanism.
UK Army AI Drones Detect Landmines in Live Trial
Britain's DSTL successfully tested AI-powered drones to detect landmines and explosive ordnance, with further trials planned ahead of full procurement.
Companies
Helsing
Munich defence company building AI software, the HX-2 strike drone, the SG-1 Fathom underwater glider and the CA-1 Europa uncrewed combat jet.
Germany
Quantum Systems
German maker of VTOL reconnaissance drones and autonomy software for European and US defense customers, with large-scale deployment in Ukraine.
Germany
Rheinmetall
German defense and automotive group producing armored vehicles, ammunition, air defense systems, and military drone platforms.
Germany
Destinus
Netherlands-headquartered defence manufacturer producing cruise missiles, interceptor drones and turbojet engines, leading the Bliksem EXO consortium.
Netherlands
STARK
Berlin defense company building loitering munitions, uncrewed surface vessels and command software, supplying the Bundeswehr under a 2026 framework.
Germany
Baykar
Turkish defense company behind the Bayraktar TB2, the most widely exported armed drone of the past decade, now also the owner of Italy's Piaggio Aerospace.
Turkey
Elbit Systems
Israeli listed defense electronics company producing UAVs, electro-optics, electronic warfare, precision munitions and C4I systems worldwide.
Israel
Frontline Robotics
Ukrainian defense robotics company making the Zoom reconnaissance drone, the Linza bomber and logistics drone, and the Buria remote weapon module.
Ukraine
Funding
Series D
UC Investments, Baillie Gifford, Merlyn Advisors, Crescent Cove, Ventura Capital, Iberis Capital
TekeverGrowth
Dragoneer Investment Group, Lightspeed Venture Partners, Disruptive, Iconiq, Goldman Sachs Alternatives, JPMorganChase, CPP Investments, General Catalyst, Plural, StepStone
HelsingSeries D
Blackstone, Noteus, Airbus, Advent, BOND, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Wellington Management, A.P. Moller Holding, Elephant Lake Ventures, Balderton, HV Capital
Quantum SystemsUndisclosed
Sequoia Capital, Founders Fund, NATO Innovation Fund, Project A, Air Street Capital, 201 Ventures, Advent, Döpfner Capital
STARKSeed
Rainfall Ventures, ACME Capital, Skyfall Ventures, Sisyphus Ventures, Antler, Startuplab, Off Piste, Andøya Ventures
StendrContracts
Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)
Saildrone
A year-long maritime surveillance service for the Swedish Navy in the Baltic Sea: four Saildrone…
U.S. Special Operations Command
Tekever
Purchase of Tekever drone systems after validation and acceptance testing; the number, model and…
U.S. Army
L3Harris
Three-year contract from the Army's DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center to develop a long-range…
U.S. Coast Guard
Shield AI
Order 70Z02326F93130011 to add sensors to current and future V-BAT operations, running to 30…
U.S. Army
Wescam USA (L3Harris)
Ceiling of a three-year IDIQ for commercial counter-drone capabilities under JIATF-401's Domestic…