Startup Rankings
Top ISR and Sensing Startups in Europe 2026
Last updated · 20 companies · compiled from public data sources
ISR and sensing companies build the sensors, satellites and analytics that give armed forces a real time picture of the battlefield. The 20 companies listed here are based across 14 countries, led by Germany and France.
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.
Tekever
Lisbon · founded 2001
Tekever builds the AR3 and AR5 unmanned aircraft used for maritime surveillance and battlefield ISR, with extensive operational service in Ukraine.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 2.
ICEYE
Espoo · founded 2014
ICEYE owns and operates the world's largest synthetic aperture radar constellation, supplying persistent imaging to governments including Ukraine's defence forces.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 3.
Quantum Systems
Gilching · founded 2015
Quantum Systems develops electric vertical take-off and landing reconnaissance drones, including the Vector and Trinity families used widely for military ISR in Ukraine and across NATO.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 4.
Creotech Instruments
Piaseczno · founded 2008
Creotech Instruments builds the HyperSat microsatellite platform and advanced electronics, leading Poland's national satellite programmes.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 5.
Robin Radar Systems
The Hague · founded 2010
TNO spin-off in The Hague making 3D radars for drone and bird detection, widely used for counter-UAS at military sites, airports and critical infrastructure. Scaled to over 200 employees.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 6.
Dedrone
Kassel · founded 2014
Dedrone provides airspace security software and sensors that detect, classify and mitigate unauthorized drones; the company was acquired by Axon in 2024.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 7.
MARSS
Monaco · founded 2015
MARSS develops NiDAR, an AI-powered command system that fuses sensors and effectors to protect critical infrastructure, vessels and borders from air and surface threats.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 8.
Preligens (Safran.AI)
Paris · founded 2016
Preligens develops AI for analyzing satellite imagery at scale for defence intelligence; it was acquired by Safran in 2024 and now operates as Safran.AI.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 9.
Aerospacelab
Louvain-la-Neuve · founded 2018
Aerospacelab vertically integrates satellite manufacturing and geospatial intelligence, operating one of Europe's largest smallsat factories.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 10.
Aaronia
Strickscheid · founded 2003
Aaronia manufactures real-time spectrum analyzers, antennas and the AARTOS drone detection system used at airports and by security forces.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 11.
DefSecIntel Solutions
Tallinn · founded 2009
DefSecIntel builds mobile surveillance towers and counter-drone systems such as Erishield, deployed on NATO borders and in Ukraine.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 12.
Brolis Semiconductors
Vilnius · founded 2011
Brolis develops GaSb-based laser diodes and photonic sensing chips with applications in defence sensing and secure communications.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 13.
Delair
Toulouse · founded 2011
Delair manufactures long-range fixed-wing drones for surveillance and, more recently, loitering munitions supplied to Ukraine and the French forces.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 14.
Beyond Vision
Lisbon · founded 2013
Lisbon-headquartered drone manufacturer whose HEIFU Pro, VTOne and BVQ418 platforms are used for ISR and tactical missions. Supplies UAVs to the Portuguese Navy and its drones have been used by Ukrainian forces.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 15.
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)
- 16.
Flyability
Lausanne · founded 2014
Flyability builds Elios collision-tolerant drones for inspection of confined and GPS-denied spaces, used in industrial and security applications.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 17.
Advanced Protection Systems
Gdynia · founded 2015
Advanced Protection Systems builds SKYctrl, a counter-drone system built on proprietary FIELDctrl radars, deployed at airports and with armed forces.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 18.
Atlas Dynamics
Riga · founded 2015
Atlas Dynamics manufactures the AtlasPRO tactical drone family used for reconnaissance by military and public safety users, including in Ukraine.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 19.
Primoco UAV
Prague · founded 2015
Prague-listed manufacturer of the One 150 unmanned aircraft, the first UAV to hold both EASA LUC authorization and a NATO STANAG 4703 military type certificate, with over 200 aircraft delivered to 15 countries.
Sources: fieldfaster curated dataset (public sources)
- 20.
Unseenlabs
Rennes · founded 2015
Unseenlabs operates a constellation of radio-frequency sensing satellites that geolocate vessels at sea, serving maritime domain awareness missions.
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.