Press release
Vinnova and the German innovation agency SPRIND are launching a European effort to develop anti-drone technology. 12 teams from different countries in Europe have now been selected to develop solutions to detect and neutralize drone threats. The initiative aims to strengthen Europe's security and competitiveness through radical innovation and cross-border cooperation.
Drones have become a rapidly growing security challenge at, for example, major events, airports and other critical infrastructure. The initiative from Vinnova and SPRIND will drive the development of completely new methods for dealing with drone threats in civilian environments – without using explosive or destructive methods.
12 teams from several countries in Europe have been selected to develop systems that can independently detect, identify and neutralize drones quickly, precisely and without causing side effects or permanent damage.
The teams will test their systems in complex and realistic scenarios with high autonomy and multiple simultaneous threats during the development period. The teams have been selected by a jury consisting of experts from several countries.
– Through this initiative, we are strengthening Sweden's and Europe's ability to handle drone threats in civilian environments. It is about comprehensive solutions to be able to detect and identify incoming objects, to make decisions about action quickly enough and to have the ability to physically prevent the threat, says Erik Borälv, head of department at Vinnova and member of the jury.
One of the teams is the Swedish CITADEL - Controlled Interceptor Drone Enhanced by LiDAR, which is developing a solution based on autonomous patrolling drones that will be able to detect, track and deal with hostile drones. The system will use directed jamming or capture, where the drone is captured and brought to a controlled soft landing.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate Europe's innovation system and create opportunities for actors in multiple countries to contribute with groundbreaking technologies. Pooling resources and expertise across national borders gives Europe a better chance to address security challenges and take the lead in future technologies.
– When we bring together teams and expertise across national borders, we can create solutions that would not otherwise have been possible. Europe gets access to cutting-edge solutions and innovative startups get access to more markets, says Anna Bergstrand, who leads the work with radical innovation at Vinnova.
Read more about the teams and their solutions.
DART, support by the company Waveye, uses imaging radar to detect drones in combination with low-cost interceptor drones. Waveye's radar can track up to 60 drones simultaneously, regardless of weather and light conditions. When a drone is detected, interceptor drones are launched and guided towards the target. When they are close enough, they switch to autonomous mode and capture the drone with a net.
Team Members:
NoctuaNet2 is a modular system for managing unauthorized drones, developed by a team from TU Wien. The system combines a ground-based sensor network with autonomous interceptor drones that capture intruding drones using a specially developed network structure.
The ground station uses AI-based image analysis along with cameras and radar to detect and track drones and predict their flight paths. Detected threats are handled by fast autonomous interceptor drones that capture and secure the drone.
Team members:
Aetosphere (Autonomous, Scalable Drone Defence for Europe's Airspace) is developing an autonomous and non-destructive system to detect and deal with unauthorized drones. The system is based on distributed radar detection, automatic threat classification and interceptor drones that capture drones without destroying them.
The solution is designed to scale from local installations to larger geographic areas and aims to protect people, infrastructure and airspace.
Team Members:
Eagle.One is an autonomous solution for managing unauthorized drones in sensitive environments. The system starts with a stationary detection layer that monitors the area 24/7 and analyzes radio signals to distinguish between authorized traffic and unauthorized drones.
The central component is the Eagle.One interceptor drone, an autonomous multi-rotor platform with multiple sensors that enables target detection, tracking, non-GNSS navigation and collision avoidance. The system is designed to be capable of performing a wide range of missions at low cost.
Team Members:
NEUROCATCH is developing a system to detect and manage unauthorized drones by combining ground-based optical detection with autonomous interceptor drones that capture drones with nets.
The system uses event-based vision technology inspired by the human retina. The sensor detects very rapid changes in light, enabling rapid detection and reliable tracking of fast-moving drones, even in complex environments.
Team Members:
Project Vortex, support by Hellion Tech, is developing autonomous interceptor missiles to deal with FPV drones. The system is based on a modular architecture where calculations and control are done in ground-based or airborne platforms instead of in the missile itself.
This makes the interceptors easier to manufacture and more cost-effective. The system can be adapted to different types of threat scenarios and is designed for autonomous operation.
Team Members:
Teamet Net based interceptor, with support from CDDS, is developing autonomous interceptor drones that will protect critical infrastructure and people with limited risk of collateral damage.
The solution is scalable, independent of GPS and designed to handle both swarms of drones and rapid maneuvers.
Team Members:
DETAINDRONE is developing an autonomous and AI-based solution for real-time neutralization of small drones up to 25 kg and speeds of up to 200 km/h. The system is designed to stop drones without explosives or other destructive methods.
Team Members:
SPDR is developing an integrated systems platform for detecting and managing unauthorized drones. The platform combines low-altitude radar and acoustic sensors to detect and verify drones at close range.
The system uses an autonomous platform with non-kinetic methods to neutralize and deal with unwanted drones.
Team Members:
CITADEL is a drone-to-drone system developed for civilian environments. Autonomous patrolling interceptor drones detect, track and neutralize drones using sensor fusion between LiDAR and camera and automatic decision logic on board.
The system uses gradual and non-destructive methods, such as signal jamming or capture, to gain control of the drone.
Team Members:
Dremian is developing a distributed autonomous system to detect, verify and neutralize unauthorized drones. The system is based on interceptor drones with sensors, decision logic and advanced flight control on board.
The solution is designed to be used in the protection of critical infrastructure and in other environments where risks are high.
Team Members:
AgileRoboNet.AI (Agile Cooperative Robotic Net Aerial Interceptor) brings together the Multi-Robot Systems Group of researchers at the Czech Technical University in Prague and the company Fly4Future sro to develop the next generation of autonomous drone systems.
The team consists of a large number of researchers and development engineers with expertise in autonomous drone technologies. The results will be translated into practical solutions and commercial products through the partner company Eagle.one, which develops autonomous drones to detect and stop unauthorized drones in, for example, airports, military areas and at major events.
Team Members:
Contact Anna Bergstrandor Erik Borälv if you have any questions about the investment.
Last updated 18 March 2026
