Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
UGV Protector: Ukraine tests large ground drone with weapon station for the first time
Approved for the Ukrainian army since June, the Protector UGV has now fired with the Tavria-12.7 weapon station in a test by Armored Vehicles. What the SUV-based ground drone can do and what it is intended for.
Defence industry: Quantum Systems and ADV Defense UAB sign MoU in Vilnius
A German and a Lithuanian defence industry player plan to research, manufacture and develop markets together over the long term. The background is NATO's eastern flank and the German combat brigade stationed in Lithuania.
Counter-UAS in the Netherlands: soldiers fire at drones over Volkel
Drones appeared over Volkel air base and Eindhoven airport on Saturday evening; at Volkel, shots were fired from the ground. Who is behind it and which counter-UAS means were used remains unclear.
Counter-drone ammunition for assault rifles: Ukraine expands production
After testing pre-series batches from several manufacturers, Ukraine is relying on a 5.56×45 NATO cartridge for counter-drone defence. Similar ammunition is also being tested and marketed in Russia and the USA.
Unmanned systems: Rheinmetall shows Mission Master at NATO exercises “Repmus” and “Dyms”
NATO armed forces, researchers and industry met in Troia and Sesimbra to test unmanned systems in the maritime environment. Rheinmetall brought the Mission Master, Battlesuite and a 360-degree defence concept.
Counter-UAS: Austria's National Council unanimously backs national drone protection strategy
A Greens motion for a resolution won unanimous approval in the National Council. The counter-UAS debate covered responsibilities, slow procurement, Skyranger instead of ESSI and Europe's technological lag.
Drone manufacturer Zala promotes “combat-efficient” Lancet drones in Dubai
With 4,000 attack videos, Russian drone manufacturer Zala backs up the claims for its Lancet-E system at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The T-20 and the “Geokosmos” system are also on show.
Counter-UAS by jet: Aero Vodochody shows L-39 Skyfox as drone hunter
After Embraer with the A-29 Super Tucano, Aero Vodochody is now equipping its jet trainer for counter-UAS. At the Dubai Air Show, the L-39 Skyfox is on display with rockets, machine-gun pods and sensor pods.
Ground drones for Ukraine: ARX Robotics wins major order for more Gereon systems
German UGV manufacturer ARX Robotics is delivering more Gereon ground drones to Ukraine and producing some of them locally. Networked via Mithra OS, this grows what the manufacturer calls the world's largest military robotics fleet.
Combat drone Bayraktar Kizilelma: Aselsan's Toygun targeting system sits inside a stealth UCAV fuselage
A targeting system previously reserved for fifth-generation fighter jets is now inside a Turkish combat drone: Baykar has integrated Aselsan's Toygun into the Kizilelma and tested it in two flights. According to the manufacturer, the way is clear for series integration.
Drone industry: BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace explore strategic UAS alliance
A memorandum of understanding is set to bring BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) together on unmanned systems. The drone industry partners are splitting the roles: TAI contributes development and production, BAE Systems sales in Europe.
Counter-UAS: Dutch Ministry of Defence launches “Counter Strikedrone Challenge”
Not specific products but solutions that work in operations: with the “Counter Strikedrone Challenge”, the Dutch Ministry of Defence is bringing industry on board for Counter-UAS – and wants to neutralise hostile drones while they are still over enemy territory.
Counter-UAS by interceptor swarm: Atreyd tests its “flying minefield” in Ukraine
Up to 1,000 interceptor drones from a container, controlled by AI: French start-up Atreyd is having its DWS-1 Counter-UAS system tested by a country for the first time – Ukraine. The system is intended as a last line of defence against Shahed drones and glide bombs.