Polish Startup and Norwegian Giant Join Forces to Protect NATO’s Eastern Flank
Advanced Protection Systems and Kongsberg Unite to Develop Scalable Counter-Drone Defense Across NATO Territory [defence, AI]
Poland’s Advanced Protection Systems (APS) has signed a Teaming Agreement with Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to co-develop and deploy next-generation Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) aimed at strengthening NATO’s eastern flank, including critical infrastructure in Poland and Norway. This marks a key alliance in the European defence sector, pairing startup innovation with military-grade systems integration.
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APS brings deep expertise in AI-powered FIELDctrl 3D MIMO radars and its SKYctrl counter-drone platform, both already field-tested in European deployments. Kongsberg, a legacy defense technology leader, contributes its knowledge of short- and medium-range air defense systems, and its ability to integrate CUAS with command and control (C2) systems and kinetic/non-kinetic response measures.
The joint roadmap focuses on building fully interoperable, NATO-aligned solutions that combine radar and sensor fusion, drone detection, and layered response capabilities. The two companies will co-develop scalable systems for both mobile military applications and fixed-site protection—addressing the rising threat of drone incursions across borders, energy assets, and civilian infrastructure.
From Baltic to Arctic: Shared Threats, Shared Innovation
The initiative follows a surge in drone activity along NATO’s border zones, especially around Poland, the Baltics, and Arctic maritime assets. Both governments have called for heightened technological resilience, and this collaboration represents one of the first cross-national EU-native partnerships designed to operationalize counter-drone defence at scale.
For APS, the partnership solidifies its role as a central node in Europe’s CUAS innovation. “In the face of growing drone threats on NATO’s flank, security is not optional—it’s urgent,” said Maciej Klemm, CEO of Advanced Protection Systems. “Together with Kongsberg, we’re building real-world defense systems that are tested, adaptive, and integrated with allied infrastructure.”
Kongsberg’s CEO, Erik Lie, reinforced this necessity, stating: “The battlefield and civilian sectors are converging under drone threat. We need systems that are rugged, resilient, and deployable—now.”
Poland’s Strategic Position in European Defense
As defense budgets across Europe rise, Poland is becoming a strategic hotbed for NATO-aligned tech development. APS’s partnership with Kongsberg further validates Poland’s ambition to be a counter-drone innovation hub, while reinforcing Norway’s broader integration strategy within European missile and aerial defense architectures.
The project also aligns with NATO’s industrial cooperation goals, aiming to foster interoperable defense tech built on shared R&D, local capacity building, and cross-border security.
