In a significant move to address the escalating threat from unmanned aerial systems, Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Poland’s Advanced Protection Systems (APS) have announced a strategic partnership. The collaboration aims to develop and deliver integrated Counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions, initially focusing on the defence needs of Poland and Norway and the wider NATO alliance.
The partnership brings together highly complementary capabilities. APS is a specialised Polish manufacturer renowned for its battlefield-proven FIELDctrl radars and the SKYctrl anti-drone system. Kongsberg contributes decades of international experience in advanced medium and short-range air defence, including command and control and effectors. Together, they will create a seamless, multi-layered defence solution.
The alliance is a direct response to the urgent and growing demand for effective air defence against drone threats, particularly along NATO’s eastern flank. The companies will jointly pursue business opportunities, proposing combined systems that integrate radar, sensor fusion, command and control, and both kinetic and non-kinetic response mechanisms. A key aspect of the agreement involves the exchange of sensitive technical knowledge to ensure the resulting systems are high-performance, scalable, and fully interoperable with NATO standards.
Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, emphasised the urgency, stating, “The dramatic rise in drone-based threats, on the battlefield and for critical infrastructure, means robust, proven C-UAS systems are no longer optional – they are mandatory.”
Maciej Klemm, Co-Founder and CEO of APS, highlighted the strategic importance, calling the partnership “another step in strengthening Europe’s counter-drone capabilities.” He added that combining their technologies with Kongsberg’s air defence expertise will create highly effective solutions to secure critical civil and military infrastructure.
This agreement solidifies Poland’s role as a regional hub for defence innovation and underscores Norway’s expanding contribution to European air defence integration. The collaboration stands as a powerful example of NATO-aligned industrial cooperation, directly contributing to a more secure European defence landscape.
