Airbus Defence and Space and Ukrainian defense technology company SkyFall announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating European and Ukrainian defense innovation.
The agreement was signed during the International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin in the presence of German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius.
The partnership is designed to enhance protection against drone and missile threats while strengthening Ukraine’s position as a leading European center for defense innovation. By combining Airbus’ expertise in integrated air and missile defense with SkyFall’s battlefield-tested technologies and rapid development capabilities, the companies aim to accelerate the development of next-generation defense frameworks.
SkyFall is known for combining rapid prototyping with serial production of unmanned aerial systems used for combat missions, logistics, and reconnaissance. The company manufactures the “Vampire” drone, nicknamed “Baba Yaga” by Russian forces, along with Shrike FPV drones, P1-SUN “Shahed” interceptors, communications systems, and other defense technologies.
According to SkyFall, its interceptor systems have already neutralized more than 10,000 Russian drones in combat operations. The company said its drones have helped Ukrainian forces destroy enemy personnel and equipment worth tens of billions of dollars.
The alliance is intended to support the objectives of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), Europe’s joint air defense framework, while reinforcing European technological sovereignty and strengthening long-term industrial cooperation. The companies also plan to bring advanced Ukrainian defense technologies to the broader European market.
KEY QUOTES:
“Countering new threats by affordable saturation attacks with drones and other effectors across the European airspace requires technological agility, multinational interoperability, and the deployment of battle-tested capabilities. This alliance with SkyFall bridges the gap between traditional defence systems and rapid-cycle innovation. Combining Airbus’ system-of-systems and C2-expertise, especially in integrated air and missile defence (IAMD), with Ukraine’s invaluable combat insights and field-proven technologies, is another building block in creating a resilient, multi-layered air defence ecosystem, at the speed of the modern battlefield.”
Michael Schoellhorn, CEO, Airbus Defence and Space
“SkyFall interceptors have already neutralised over 10,000 Russian drones in live combat environments, validating the effectiveness of Ukrainian solutions in countering aerial threats. Partnering with Airbus, we are developing the next generation of technologies to establish a multi-layered air shield that will bolster the protection of Ukrainian skies and European airspace.”
Mykola Makovieiev, CEO, SkyFall
