Top 10 Defense Drone Startups from Europe with Next-Level Tech, Part I
Today, you cannot afford to dwell on your achievements and praise ‘unique’ technologies, hoping your business will thrive. Not anymore. If you are not agile, resilient, and decentralized, you are doomed. You need to operate like a startup, no matter how large your company is. Due to geopolitical developments, a new generation of privately venture-backed firms has emerged, taking matters into their own hands.
There are numerous outstanding drone startups in Europe, each having its unique features, making it challenging to select just a few. However, I have attempted to shortlist them based on the following main criteria: 1) scalability of operations (not limited to a prototype), 2) dual or military use, and 3) proven field application.
Approximately 10 companies made it onto my list, and here are the first five stars: Takever, Quantum Systems, Sky-Watch, Evolve Dynamics, and Threod Systems.
1. TEKEVER
Born in 2001 in sunny Lisbon, Portugal, TEKEVER initially focused on building software solutions for international clients. Around 2009, the company pivoted to the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), betting on the vast market opportunities ahead.
Looking at where the company is now, it was a life-changing decision. The company’s products are already operational in many countries around the world, including Ukraine, Portugal, Brazil, the UK, and more. Company revenue doubled last year and is likely to double again in 2024. The team is currently around 500 people and is planned to reach 700 by the end of the year.
“We want to be the most agile company in the market that can provide products that evolve with the customer’s needs” Ricardo Mendes, CEO & founder of TEKEVER
The company develops UAVs with the most advanced technologies, yet it still follows a ‘software first’ approach, which is evident based on its agile product development style. This means that changes and improvements to their products come not in months, but in days. This turned out to be crucial in Ukraine, where TEKEVER takes its customer-centric and agile approach to the next level.
Speaking about its technology, TEKEVER recently announced a new system with swarm capabilities (i.e., deploying and coordinating a swarm of smaller drones from a primary one), integration of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capabilities into its machines, and support for micro-satellite constellations.
2. Quantum Systems
Quantum Systems is a German manufacturer of AI-powered drones for aerial data intelligence. The company has already supplied hundreds of its Vektor drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in addition to other customers globally.
With €100 million in venture capital backing, it seems that the company has achieved escape velocity in scaling its commercial operations. In April 2024, Quantum Systems announced the opening of a second drone production plant in Ukraine, in addition to multiple existing facilities in the USA, Australia, and Germany.
Interestingly, the company recently announced its partnerships with ARX Robotics (formerly known as ARX Landsysteme GmbH), another German defense tech star developing unmanned ground vehicles. It seems that joining forces is a strategic move that can create something unique — battlefield-proven AI technology from Quantum Systems fused with advanced ground vehicles from ARX Robotics, backed by the German Army.
I recently published an article about German Defense Tech, where I covered both Quantum Systems and ARX Robotics. You can find it here.
3. Sky-Watch
Headquartered in Denmark, the venture-backed company Sky-Watch has been producing high-end UAVs since 2009. The company is renowned for its RQ-35 Heidrun, a fully autonomous, fixed-wing, mini-UAV designed for low-altitude reconnaissance.
Sky-Watch has supplied numerous RQ-35 Heidrun UAVs to Ukraine, both as military aid from various countries, including Germany, and through crowdfunding campaigns (such as the recent one led by Mark Hamill, known for his role as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars). According to Martin Schousboe, CEO of Sky-Watch, the RQ-35 Heidrun is currently deployed across all branches of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
In April 2024, the Netherlands, in collaboration with Denmark and Germany, announced plans to order RQ-35 Heidrun UAVs worth €200 million for delivery to Ukraine. If the figures are accurate, this represents a significant vote of confidence in Sky-Watch and a direct acknowledgment of its accomplishments.
Furthermore, in February 2024, Sky-Watch signed a cooperation agreement with Palantir to integrate its UAVs with Palantir’s software platform. Sky-Watch also collaborates with the German defense tech unicorn, Helsing, known for retrofitting various military equipment such as tanks, fighter jets, and howitzers with its AI-powered solutions. Considering such partnerships, the multimillion-dollar order makes perfect sense.
4. Evolve Dynamics
British company Evolve Dynamics, founded in 2014 by Mike Dewhirst, its CEO, now has approximately 100 of its Sky Mantis 2 surveillance drones in service in Ukraine.
If the Sky Mantis 2 drones were to be described in one phrase, it would be “ultimate resilience.” This model exhibits extreme weather operability, enduring winds up to 46 mph / 75 kmph, heavy rain, and temperatures ranging from -30°C to +50°C. Numerous photos depict Evolve Dynamics testing its products in such extreme conditions.
Another notable feature is its enhanced connectivity, data encryption, and advanced interference-avoidance capabilities. One significant issue faced by many UAVs in Ukraine is the extensive employment of electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, often referred to as “jamming.” Such interference can disrupt the frequencies relaying commands from the pilot to the drone, rendering the drone useless or causing it to be lost entirely. Evolve Dynamics is actively developing alternative radio link algorithms designed to make it more challenging to jam the signal from its surveillance drones.
According to Mike Dewhirst, CEO of Evolve Dynamics, the company has implemented approximately 85 upgrades to the Sky Mantis 2 over the past two-and-a-half years, significantly enhancing their effectiveness and safety for pilots.
5. Threod Systems
The Estonian company Threod Systems, founded in 2012, specializes in developing surveillance drones, including those with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities.
One of its most renowned products is the EOS C VTOL system. Several of these systems were acquired through crowdfunding campaigns in Lithuania, spearheaded by journalist Andrius Tapinas, as well as in Ukraine by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation. Numerous videos depict the application of these systems on the battlefield in Ukraine alongside HIMARS systems.
Ukrainian operators who have utilized the EOS VTOL aircraft describe it as remarkably quiet, reliable, and effective. The drone demonstrates the ability to operate in extreme temperature and weather conditions, possesses a minimal thermal signature, and features excellent optics. Due to the surge in demand for its drones, Threod Systems had planned to inaugurate a second production plant in Estonia as early as 2023.
I am planning to publish the second part of my research soon. If you know any good drone companies in Europe that should be mentioned, please send me a message. Your feedback is always appreciated.
Thank you for reading!
