PDKINEMATICS Secures €2M for Drone Guidance Systems

Lithuanian defense technology innovator PDKINEMATICS has successfully closed a €2 million Seed funding round, bolstering its capacity to manufacture and deploy advanced precision guidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The capital infusion, co-led by Lithuania's sovereign investment fund Coinvest Capital and prominent European defense investor Iron Wolf Capital, brings the company's total funding to €3 million. This strategic investment is earmarked for scaling production and expanding the reach of their technology across European battlefields, notably in Ukraine.

The urgency for such capabilities is underscored by the evolving demands of modern conflict. PDKINEMATICS CEO and co-founder Rapolas Markevičius highlighted the critical need for precision at altitude, delivered at a cost and form factor comparable to mass-produced drone munitions. He explained, “The most sophisticated guidance science historically served large, expensive aircraft programs. We are adapting these proven principles for the platforms that truly define today’s battlefield, integrating modern research and development into systems that are both manufacturable and rapidly deployable for contemporary UAV warfare.” This approach promises significant advantages in scale, deployment speed, and cost-effectiveness for operators.

This funding round aligns with a broader trend observed in the European defense tech sector throughout 2026. Investment activity has surged into areas such as drone autonomy, counter-UAS solutions, UAV operational software, and aerial intelligence platforms. While larger rounds, like Quantum Systems' €150 million financing, capture headlines, earlier-stage investments in companies like Occam Industries, Shotling, Mutable Tactics, and AirHub demonstrate a comprehensive allocation of capital across the entire UAV technology stack, from software and guidance to coordination and defense mechanisms.

Žygimantas Susnys, Founding Partner at Iron Wolf Capital, emphasized the strategic importance of PDKINEMATICS' technology: “Precision-guided systems represent the vanguard of modern warfare. The PDKINEMATICS team possesses a potent combination of entrepreneurial spirit and profound engineering expertise, operating with the agility this critical juncture demands. Their established credibility in Ukraine positions them to become a pivotal defense technology provider for NATO allies.”

Founded in 2025, PDKINEMATICS emerged as a direct response to the escalating conflict in Ukraine, with private equity professional Rapolas Markevičius and aerospace engineer Simonas Stasevičius initiating development. The company's solutions are designed for integration into NATO defense supply chains and cater to UAV manufacturers, defense integrators, and European armed forces. Their technology has reportedly undergone validation in active combat zones, addressing a key limitation where drone combat potential is often constrained by the absence of precise guidance systems.

The company's strategic vision extends to fostering collaborations within the defense ecosystem. Notably, PDKINEMATICS has secured a partnership with Bavovna.ai, a leading Ukrainian manufacturer of bomber-class UAVs. This collaboration ensures the integration and deployment of PDKINEMATICS' guidance systems onto Bavovna.ai's platforms, further solidifying their battlefield relevance and market penetration. This development also resonates with EU initiatives like the European Drone Defence Initiative, aiming to enhance collective defense capabilities.