Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Military drones as a gift: Türkiye hands two Bayraktar TB2 to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina receives drones, control stations and training free of charge. Kosovo, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia are also relying on military drones – from the Bayraktar TB2 and Chinese CH-95 to domestic developments.
MQ-9 Reaper shot down over Yemen: Yemeni armed forces report another US loss
According to Tasnim, this would be the 24th Reaper the US Air Force has lost over Yemen. Other sources recently counted twelve or 17 MQ-9 Reapers; if the figure of 24 is correct, losses would amount to around 600 to 700 million euros.
Unex ground drone: Ukraine approves amphibious all-terrain vehicle for its armed forces
More than 70 platforms took part in the country's largest UGV test. One of them, the amphibious Unex ground drone, was approved by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence on 17 April – with low-pressure tyres, electric drive and several variants.
Drone manufacturer Quantum Systems partners with Renk India for local production
Local production, maintenance and R&D: drone manufacturer Quantum Systems plans to expand its business in India together with Renk Gears Private, a subsidiary of the Renk Group. A memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership has been signed.
FPV drones from 800 kilometres away: Russia tests “Orbita” control system
Test flights near Mariupol, controlled from Tula, and a hit in Ukraine triggered from a civilian office complex in Moscow: Russia wants to steer FPV drones over hundreds of kilometres. How the link is established remains unclear.
Counter-UAS for Vector AI: Quantum Systems invests in Ukrainian robotics specialist Frontline
Frontline’s C-UAS solution is to be integrated into Quantum Systems’ drone systems. The counter-drone agreement signed on 9 April combines cooperation and investment – and strengthens the German manufacturer’s presence in Ukraine.
Loitering munition from Stark: One Way Effector-Vertical (OWE-V) comes to market
Vertical take-off, AI-supported and designed for an effective range of 100 kilometres: with the OWE-V, Stark is launching its first loitering munition system. At the same time, the company founded in 2024 has joined the UXS Alliance.
UAVs in a team: Airbus controls Primoco drones autonomously with Teaming Intelligence
In the Czech Republic, two Primoco One 150 aircraft shared surveillance areas and tasks – coordinated by Airbus’s Teaming Intelligence software. This is to allow operators to command several UAVs at once; the next step is to turn it into a product.
Military drones: Spain plans tender worth more than 200 million euros
Class I and II military drones are on the annual procurement plan of the Spanish Ministry of Defence. Which types will be bought remains open – according to Infodefensa, candidates include Aertec’s Tarsis and Airbus’s Sirtap.
Loitering munition: Chief of Defence Breuer wants the Bundeswehr firing it this year
Carsten Breuer is pushing for maximum acceleration: systems from Helsing and Stark are apparently in the running, initially for testing. The loitering munition is to close a capability gap in the German armed forces.
ARX Robotics expands to Britain: headquarters in London, production planned in South West England
ARX Robotics plans to invest a good 50 million euros in a British production and research site. Support comes from UK Defence Secretary John Healey and from the NATO Innovation Fund.
Fibre-optic drones in series production: eleven Ukrainian companies master the technology
More than 20 new models certified in the first quarter of 2025 alone, tests over 20 kilometres at Brave1: Ukraine is expanding production of fibre-optic drones. President Zelensky wants contracts geared to maximum capacity.
Drone strike on Saransk: Ukraine hits Russian optical fibre maker JSC Optical Fiber Systems
An overnight drone strike into Saturday targeted two plants in Saransk that supply optical fibre, gyroscopes and optronics to the Russian defence industry. One of them is the only optical fibre manufacturer of its kind in Russia.