US-German autonomous software specialist Auterion and Ukrainian defense manufacturer Airlogix have established a joint venture to produce AI-enabled unmanned aerial systems for Ukraine and partner nations.
Formed with backing from the German and Ukrainian governments, the initiative is designed to deepen European defense industrial cooperation while reinforcing Ukraine’s military capabilities.
The new entity, Auterion Airlogix Joint Venture GmbH, was officially unveiled at the Munich Security Conference. It combines Ukraine’s battlefield-tested drone expertise with NATO-standard autonomous software and European-based manufacturing infrastructure.
The signing ceremony was attended by Volodymyr Zelensky, Boris Pistorius, Auterion CEO Lorenz Meier, and Airlogix CEO Vitalii Kolesnichenko.
Under the partnership, Airlogix will supply combat-proven drone platforms, while Auterion will integrate artificial intelligence guidance, autonomous navigation capabilities, and electronic warfare-resistant software.
Procurement Framework
Through the joint venture, Kyiv has requested thousands of systems for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with deliveries to be coordinated via the German Federal Ministry of Defence.
Auterion described the procurement as one of Europe’s largest drone production commitments for Ukraine to date. The systems will adhere to German munitions acquisition standards, with manufacturing based in Germany to ensure supply chain stability and scalable output. Initial deliveries are scheduled to begin this year.
Expanding Joint Production
Ukraine and its Western allies are accelerating collaborative production programs to align Ukrainian-developed systems with NATO standards, enhance interoperability, and capitalize on battlefield experience — particularly in unmanned technologies.
In 2024, the United Kingdom and Ukraine launched the LYRA program, aimed at co-developing advanced defense technologies through joint industrial and scientific efforts. One of its first initiatives, Project OCTOPUS, focuses on developing a next-generation interceptor drone for air defense.
Meanwhile, the Government of the Netherlands has pledged €110 million ($127 million) to support the joint production of deep-strike drones with Kyiv.
