Drones & UAV defence companies in Germany

Builds loitering munitions, unmanned surface vessels and multi-domain C2 software for NATO militaries, with systems already deployed in Ukraine.

Virtus

Flagship VTOL loitering munition for mass precision effects. Virtus is designed for rapid launch from austere terrain, carries a modular payload of up to 5 kg, reaches 120 km/h+ cruise speed and 250 km/h+ attack speed, and integrates with Minerva for swarm and ISR-linked missions.

Vanta

Unmanned surface vessel family for maritime deterrence, persistent surveillance and multi-domain operations. Vanta is built for operation in demanding sea conditions, with up to 910 nautical miles of range, 45+ knot top speed, a modular 200 kg payload area, and integration with Minerva and maritime battle-management systems.

Minerva

Command-and-control software for unmanned systems across land, air and maritime domains. Minerva supports automated target prioritisation, effector selection, swarming missions and operation of multiple systems from one ground control station while keeping humans in the loop.

Builds battlefield AI software, autonomous strike drones and electronic warfare systems for European armed forces.

CA-1 Europa

Autonomous combat aircraft with over 1,400 km range. Designed to operate independently or in swarms with the Centaur AI agent onboard. First flight targeted for 2027, with entry into service aimed for 2029. HENSOLDT joined as a partner on the programme in February 2026.

HX-2

AI-guided strike drone weighing 12 kg with over 100 km range. Operates in coordinated swarms without GPS using AI and stored map data. Mass-produced at Helsing's Resilience Factory in southern Germany, with monthly capacity exceeding 1,000 units.

Altra

Reconnaissance-strike software that fuses sensor data from drones, spotters and other sources into a single operational picture. Provides real-time targeting information for indirect fire, weapon stations and strike drones. Integrated with the HX-2 system and with Systematic SitaWare.

Builds eVTOL fixed-wing ISR drones and multi-domain autonomous systems software for NATO-aligned military forces, with over 20,000 combat flight hours logged in Ukraine.

Vector AI

Vector AI is a combat-proven mid-endurance eVTOL fixed-wing sUAS designed for tactical ISR missions. In fixed-wing configuration it has a 2.80-metre wingspan, weighs 9.5 kg at max take-off weight, and delivers 180+ minutes of flight endurance at speeds of 15–20 m/s. The system operates as a 2-in-1 platform, converting toollessly between fixed-wing and multicopter modes using identical avionics, ground controller and sensors. Dual NVIDIA Jetson Orin SOM processors handle onboard AI object detection, classification and tracking, keeping it effective in GPS-denied and electronically contested environments. Vector AI has logged over 20,000 operational flight hours in Ukraine and is integrated with ATAK, SitaWare, Kropyva and other NATO battle management systems.

Builds AI-powered autonomous interceptor drones for counter-UAS operations, designed to detect, track and neutralise drone threats at scale for European armed forces.

TYTAN Interceptor METIS

A high-speed expendable interceptor drone targeting NATO Class II UAV threats. Reaching 350 km/h with a 25 km range and 5,000 m altitude ceiling, METIS uses onboard AI and computer vision to autonomously detect, track and neutralise hostile drones via direct kinetic hit. The system is containerised for mobile or vehicle-mounted deployment and is designed for mass-production at low cost per engagement.

Builds flight inspection systems and airborne surveillance platforms for aviation authorities, military and government agencies worldwide, and holds the world market leader position in flight inspection.

Builds VTOL fixed-wing drones for ISR, border surveillance, inspection and tactical military operations, sold to armed forces and security agencies across Europe.

Kappa Optronics develops certified camera and vision systems for aviation, defence, UAV/UAS, situational awareness and rugged monitoring applications.

German tactical drone manufacturer delivering mini and micro UAV systems for military, government and security missions, including Bundeswehr-certified reconnaissance platforms.

Provides drone-based unexploded ordnance detection using geomagnetic sensors, serving infrastructure and construction clients and the German Bundeswehr with a service up to 10 times faster than conventional ground-based surveying.

Builds dual-use unmanned aircraft in the 500-1000 kg class for military medical evacuation, tactical airlift and long-range surveillance, operated under its own Light UAS Operator Certificate.

Builds loitering munitions, drone avionics and UAV warheads from Hutthurm, Bavaria, with a focus on sovereign European production and field-proven systems.

Builds mission software and AI autonomy tools that let pilots and operators coordinate manned and unmanned aircraft from a single interface.

Develops and manufactures UAV drones for reconnaissance and surveillance missions, offering modular, encrypted drone systems with dual-use applications for professional security operations.

Spleenlab develops AI software for autonomous systems, including GPS-denied navigation, ISR, collision avoidance and drone autonomy for defence and robotics applications.

Twentyfour Industries designs, manufactures and deploys European drone systems at scale for military and electronic-warfare environments.

Autonomous drone systems for explosive ordnance disposal and counter-IED operations. PEREGRINE drone deploys LANCE disruptors from airborne or landed positions with AI-assisted target acquisition. Delivering to Ukrainian forces.

Builds the Wingcopter 198 tilt-rotor VTOL drone for long-range cargo delivery, LiDAR infrastructure surveying and reconnaissance missions, with a joint venture scaling production of reconnaissance UAVs in Germany for Ukraine.

Builds software-defined, adaptive data links that keep unmanned ground, air and sea systems connected under jamming and electronic warfare conditions.