Estonian defense startup to test anti-drone AI-powered missiles in Ukraine in 2025
Frankenburg Technologies will test its anti-air missiles in Ukraine, promising systems that are more affordable and faster to produce.
Estonian defense company Frankenburg Technologies will begin testing its AI-powered air defense missiles in Ukraine in 2024, EER reports. Kusti Salm, CEO of Frankenburg Technologies, told ERR on 5 December that“The technology is promising and in the new year we will start testing it in Ukraine.”
Salm confirmed to ERR that testing agreements are in place and the technology has garnered significant attention.
In September, Bloomberg announced Frankenburg Technologies’ plans to produce its anti-air missiles in Ukraine.
In November, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry reported that the first missile samples were set to arrive by the end of 2024. The Ministry reported that these missiles are primarily designed for countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and can engage targets at altitudes up to 2 kilometers. Salm said that if the tests are successful and Ukraine approves further use, the production of these missiles could be established in Ukraine, as per the Ministry.
According to Bloomberg, the company was established in January 2024 with involvement from key Estonian defense and technology industry figures. Bloomberg listed the firm among “most talked-about startups building weapons in Europe,” noting its focus on producing inexpensive anti-drone missiles using precision targeting software.
“Our mission is to equip the free world with the technologies needed to win the war,” states the company on its website, adding that they aim to develop missile systems “ten times more affordable, a hundred times faster to produce, and in quantities far exceeding current industry capabilities.”
The company’s leadership includes several prominent figures. Estonia’s recently retired top military commander Martin Herem serves as an advisor, while Kuldar Vaarsi, chief executive officer of Milrem Robotics, is a strategic investor. Taavi Madiberk, chief executive of Estonian supercapacitor maker Skeleton Technologies, co-founded the company, and Sergiy Koshman, formerly an expert for the Ukrainian president’s office and Nokia Siemens Networks, serves as CEO in Ukraine.
Related:
- Ukraine to test Estonian-made anti-drone missiles
- Ukrainian drone hits moving Russian Tor anti-air system at night (video)
- German company introduces AI-powered HX-2 drone for Ukrainian military
- Baltic, Nordic countries and Poland to step up support to Ukraine ‘in coming months’
- Estonia urges European allies to boost Ukraine support amid US uncertainty
- Estonia eyes Ukrainian-made “high quality” drones for its armed forces
- Reuters: Ukraine rolls out dozens of AI systems to help its drones hit targets
- Estonia urges allies to boost military aid to Ukraine and consider NATO membership
- Estonian PM: EU must help Ukraine to survive upcoming winter as Russian prepares attacks on power systems
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