Lithuanian Company UDS Secures €3.2M to Enhance UAVs and AI-Based Swarm Integrations

Lithuanian company Unmanned Defense Systems (UDS) has raised €3.2 million to scale its battlefield-tested Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and advance AI-based swarm integrations. The funding will support the development of UDS's proprietary swarm technologies and strengthen NATO's military capacity.

Why this matters: The development of advanced UAV and AI-based swarm technologies has significant implications for modern warfare and national security. As NATO countries continue to invest in these technologies, it could lead to a shift in the balance of power and influence in global geopolitics.

UDS has already supplied its solutions to the Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and NATO armed forces. The company's UAVs, ranging from reconnaissance drones to loitering munitions and FPV drones, have been proven effective in real-world combat scenarios.

The investment round was co-led by Coinvest Capital, with a group of business angels and one angel syndicate of 41 private investors, contributing €1.6 million. An additional €0.5 million is reserved for international investors with dual-use sector expertise.

Vytenis Buzas, one of the creators of the first Lithuanian satellite, and Ernestas Kalabuckas, 'Lithuanian CTO of the Year 2022,' are part of the leadership team and have personally contributed €1.1 million to the company. Buzas emphasized the ambition to showcase Lithuania's capabilities in developing high-tech military UAVs, stating, 'We have the ambition to prove to the world that Lithuania is as great in developing high-tech military UAVs, as we are in aerospace or lasers.'

Kalabuckas expressed appreciation to military partners in Ukraine for their collaboration in testing the technology in actual warzones. 'We are grateful to our military partners in Ukraine for running frequent tests together in the actual warzone, enabling agile and swift technology upgrades in response to the constantly changing conditions on the battlefield,' he said.

The funding will be directed towards continuing the development of proprietary swarm technologies, enhancing drone autonomy and inter-drone coordination, and aligning with the demands of 21st-century warfare. Giedrimas Jeglinskas, former NATO Assistant General Secretary and former Vice-minister of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, highlighted the potential for growth within NATO and other friendly markets: 'At the NATO level, the guidance of a common “drone” doctrine will open up opportunities for innovative technology developers such as UDS to grow both in NATO and in friendly markets further afield.'

The war in Ukraine has accelerated innovations in drone technology, with both Moscow and Kyiv developing new ways to use drones in warfare. This rapid development has reinforced the importance of drone surveillance and anti-drone capabilities for NATO countries, especially those along the alliance's eastern flank.

Lithuania's Interior Minister, Agnė Bilotaitė, announced that NATO states along the eastern flank will bolster their protection against 'unfriendly countries' with unmanned vehicles, including drones. 'This is a completely new thing—a drone border from Norway to Poland, the purpose of which would be to protect our border with the help of drones and other technologies,' she said.

The €3.2 million raised by UDS will enable the company to continue its innovative work in UAV and AI-based swarm integrations, solidifying its role as a key player in modern warfare technology.

Key Takeaways

• Lithuanian company UDS raises €3.2 million to develop AI-based swarm drones.
• Funding to support NATO's military capacity and modern warfare technology.
• UDS's UAVs proven effective in real-world combat scenarios in Lithuania and Ukraine.
• Company aims to showcase Lithuania's capabilities in high-tech military UAVs.
• Funding to enhance drone autonomy, inter-drone coordination, and 21st-century warfare tech.