Startup Rankings
Top Defence Startups in Spain 2026
Last updated · 6 companies · compiled from public data sources
Spain hosts 6 of the defence startups tracked in the fieldfaster dataset, with teams in Barcelona, Castellon, Elche and beyond. Focus areas include space, ISR and sensing, energetics and propulsion.
Every entry is a short factual profile compiled from public sources: what the company builds, where it is based and when it was founded. The ranking favours established teams, ordering companies by team size band first and company age second. No funding figures are used.
- 1.
PLD Space
Elche · founded 2011
PLD Space develops the MIURA family of recoverable launch vehicles, giving Spain and Europe independent small-launch capability.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 2.
SATLANTIS
Leioa · founded 2013
Bilbao-area company building very high resolution Earth observation payloads (iSIM) and complete small satellite missions, with applications in defence, border and maritime surveillance. Its technology has been evaluated by the US Department of Defense.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 3.
Skydweller Aero
Madrid · founded 2017
Skydweller Aero develops a solar-powered uncrewed aircraft capable of continuous flight for months, aimed at persistent maritime surveillance.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 4.
Sateliot
Barcelona · founded 2018
Sateliot operates a 5G narrowband-IoT nanosatellite constellation extending secure connectivity to remote sensors and assets.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 5.
Alen Space
Vigo · founded 2017
University of Vigo spin-off designing and building nanosatellites and payloads for applications including signals intelligence, aircraft surveillance and maritime communications, such as AIS payloads for Spain's Atlantic Constellation.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 6.
Arkadia Space
Castellon · founded 2020
Castellon-based propulsion startup developing hydrogen peroxide thrusters as a non-toxic alternative to hydrazine; flew Europe's first hydrogen peroxide propulsion system in orbit in 2025. Secured 14.5 million euros from the EIC Accelerator.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
Have we missed your startup?
Companies are ranked by team size band and company age, using short factual profiles compiled from public sources. No funding figures are used. If your European defence startup belongs on this list, tell us and we'll review it for the next update.