German drone software provider Auterion and Ukrainian defense company Airlogix have formed a joint venture to produce AI-guided unmanned aerial systems for Ukraine and allied nations. The announcement, made during the Munich Security Conference, marks one of the largest European initiatives in autonomous drone production for Ukrainian defense.
The governments of Germany and Ukraine both endorsed the cooperation. Ukraine has already requested thousands of these mid-range autonomous strike drones, built in Germany, for its armed forces. The same systems will also meet munitions procurement requirements for German forces.
Combining Combat Expertise and AI Autonomy
The joint venture integrates Airlogix’s battle-tested UAV platforms with Auterion’s advanced software for autonomous navigation, AI guidance, and electronic warfare resistance. Together, the companies will produce drones engineered for resilience in demanding operational environments while maintaining compliance with NATO standards.
“This joint venture demonstrates how European defense cooperation can rapidly deliver cutting-edge autonomous capabilities to our allies,” said Dr. Lorenz Meier, CEO of Auterion. “By combining Ukrainian innovation forged in real combat conditions with our advanced engineering excellence, we are creating a new model for allied defense production.”
Vitalii Kolesnichenko, CEO of Airlogix, added, “This partnership allows us to scale that experience through European industrial capacity while integrating the most advanced autonomous systems available. Together, we are building the future of allied drone warfare.”
Building Europe’s Defense Manufacturing Network
The company, Auterion Airlogix Joint Venture GmbH, was established in cooperation with both governments as part of a broader effort to strengthen European defense industrial capabilities. Manufacturing will take place in Germany to ensure supply chain security, industrial scalability, and rapid delivery to frontline units.
Initial production is scheduled for 2026, representing a new step in coordinated NATO-aligned UAV manufacturing within Europe. This agreement follows a similar partnership, also recently announced, between Ukrainian company TAF and German drone manufacturer Wingcopter.
More information on Auterion is available from their website. More information on Airlogix is available from their website.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.