Terra Drone Subsidiary Unifly Partners with Europe’s Largest Defense Company MBDA to Implement End-to-End Counter-Drone Platform

Terra Drone Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya, Tokyo; CEO: Tetsu Tokushige; hereinafter “Terra Drone”), through its Belgium-based subsidiary Unifly (hereinafter “Unifly”), a leading provider of Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, has signed a partnership agreement with MBDA Systems (hereinafter “MBDA”), one of Europe’s largest defense companies, to implement an end-to-end counter-drone platform capable of detecting, identifying, and responding to unauthorized drones within designated airspace.

※1 Unifly: Has provided UTM systems to national aviation authorities in nine countries worldwide, including Canada, Belgium, and Spain, and holds the No.1 market share in this sector.

※2 MBDA: A European defense giant jointly funded by Airbus (France), BAE Systems (UK), and Leonardo (Italy), specializing in the development and supply of missiles and counter-drone platforms.

Partnership Overview

By combining Unifly’s proven UTM platform, which has been deployed in operational environments worldwide, with MBDA’s advanced defense systems and expertise, the two companies aim to build an integrated counter-drone platform that enables seamless detection, identification, and response to unauthorized drones.

A counter-drone platform refers to an integrated system that detects, identifies, and neutralizes suspicious drones operating within a designated airspace. This initiative aims to automatically distinguish between authorized drones and potential threats upon detection, enabling rapid and efficient responses.

Background

In Europe, NATO member states have set a goal to allocate 5% of GDP to defense spending by 2035, with up to 1.5% dedicated to defense and security sectors, including the development and protection of critical infrastructure such as ports, power plants, and airports (※3).

As concerns grow over drone-based attacks and terrorism targeting critical infrastructure, counter-drone platforms are becoming increasingly vital—not only on battlefields but also in peacetime, serving as a foundational defense mechanism to secure energy facilities, ports, airports, and communication networks.

Moreover, to effectively counter drone-related terrorism during peacetime, it is essential not only to detect, identify, and neutralize threats but also to instantly determine whether a detected drone is operating legally. Without real-time, automated verification of drone registration and flight authorization, there is a risk of delayed or incorrect responses. Therefore, integration with a UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) system, which manages authorized drone operations, is indispensable.

Given this context, governments and relevant agencies worldwide are seeking reliable solutions capable of detecting, identifying, and responding to airborne threats while being interoperable with UTM systems.

(※3) Source: NATO “Defence expenditures and NATO’s 5% commitment” (Updated: 10 April 2026)

https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/introduction-to-nato/defence-expenditures-and-natos-5-commitment

Future Outlook

Unifly will work closely with MBDA to concretize joint proposals starting from Belgium, while also exploring expansion into other regions to broaden its global business opportunities.

Terra Drone has been strengthening its defense sector presence since entering the defense business in March 2026, including co-investing in a Ukrainian anti-drone company. By integrating its rocket-type interceptor drone “Terra A1” and fixed-wing interceptor drone “Terra A2” with Unifly’s UTM-powered counter-drone platform—as demonstrated in this partnership—the Terra Drone Group aims to further enhance the competitiveness of its integrated solutions.

Going forward, both companies will leverage such partnerships to strengthen capabilities against drone threats in critical environments such as airports, ports, and public events, while expanding their global market presence.

Executive Comments

### Andres Van Swoolm, CEO of Unifly

“This partnership demonstrates how Belgium’s technological expertise can contribute not only to the civilian drone industry but also to the defense sector, where secure and controlled airspace management is becoming increasingly critical. Unifly’s UTM platform delivers essential capabilities to address challenges in the counter-drone domain. We are proud to collaborate with a strong partner like MBDA, who shares our vision and values our expertise, to present joint solutions from Belgium and demonstrate their international scalability.”

### Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA

“MBDA is pleased to partner with Unifly to explore new opportunities in the counter-drone domain. As the only European company offering sovereign, end-to-end air defense systems, MBDA has developed multi-layered air defense solutions, including counter-drone platforms, to address evolving aerial threats. By combining our complementary expertise, we aim to respond to increasingly complex aerial threats and protect the skies over Belgium and beyond.”

About MBDA

MBDA was established in 2001 as a joint venture between Airbus (Europe’s largest aerospace company), BAE Systems (UK’s largest defense company), and Leonardo (Italy’s major aerospace firm). It is one of Europe’s largest defense and aerospace companies, with a strong presence across the continent. MBDA develops and manufactures a wide range of products to meet diverse military needs across land, sea, and air domains.

For more information, visit https://www.mbda-systems.com/

About Unifly

Unifly is a technology company rooted in the aviation industry, supporting the realization of autonomous aviation by enhancing the safety and efficiency of Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM).

The company’s platform connects aviation authorities, drone operators, and other stakeholders, advancing the digitalization and automation of airspace management to ensure the safe integration of next-generation aircraft.

Through Unifly Consulting, the company also provides specialized expertise in UTM technology, regulatory compliance (including SORA – Specific Operations Risk Assessment), and operational strategy, delivering end-to-end solutions for the unmanned aviation sector.