NATO members seek enhanced drone capabilities from Auterion

The CEO of Auterion, a drone software company, says NATO countries are increasingly interested in building up their drone fleets. This interest comes as Europe looks to strengthen its military capabilities. Auterion has teamed up with an undisclosed Ukrainian company to create affordable drones. CEO Lorenz Meier mentioned that these drones could allow armies to purchase tens of thousands of units. He noted that there is urgent demand from major NATO countries. Last week, Auterion's drone prototype was among four selected for testing by the US Department of Defense. The Pentagon aims to develop low-cost, long-range weapons similar to those used in Ukraine. Other countries like China and Iran already have advanced drones that can fly deep into enemy territory. Meier highlighted that Auterion's prototype can strike targets over 1,000 kilometers away, even in challenging conditions like jamming. He anticipates this initial US contract may lead to further agreements for a long-range drone platform. He also linked the technology to potential conflicts, such as a situation involving Taiwan. European Union nations are planning to invest heavily in defense to lessen their reliance on the United States. In December, Auterion and Germany's Rheinmetall AG started a partnership to develop drone software together. The company, founded in 2017, has over 100 employees across its locations. Meier stated that Auterion is speaking with US electronics manufacturers about increasing drone production, expressing excitement about the potential for large-scale manufacturing.