Orqa Counter-Drone Deal Brings Ukraine Tech to NATO
AI Analysis
Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa and Ukrainian defense-tech firm General Cherry have signed a memorandum of cooperation to bring Ukraine's counter-drone interceptor technology to NATO. This partnership combines Ukrainian battlefield experience with Orqa's manufacturing capabilities to develop and produce interceptor drones and counter-UAV systems for NATO and allied nations.
Key Takeaways
- Orqa and General Cherry signed a cooperation agreement to introduce Ukrainian counter-drone technology to NATO.
- The partnership focuses on developing and manufacturing interceptor drones and counter-UAV systems.
- Joint manufacturing facilities are being established in Croatia and Ukraine.
- General Cherry is a leading interceptor drone developer in Ukraine with real-world combat experience.
- Orqa supplies UAV components to over 50 markets, including 24 NATO member states, without using Chinese parts.
Why It Matters
This collaboration enhances NATO's counter-UAS capabilities by leveraging Ukraine's combat-proven technology and Orqa's production capacity. It strengthens European defense infrastructure and reduces dependency on non-European supply chains, promoting resilience against geopolitical disruptions.
Orqa Counter-Drone Deal Brings Ukraine Tech to NATO
Orqa Counter-Drone Deal Brings Ukraine Tech to NATO
ByScott Rose
April 13, 2026
Kovacevic (Orqa) and Gryshyn (General Cherry)
Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa and Ukrainian defence-tech firm General Cherry have signed a memorandum of cooperation that will bring Ukraine’s Orqa counter-drone interceptor capability to NATO and allied nations for the first time. The agreement pairs General Cherry’s frontline operational experience with Orqa’s manufacturing and engineering know-how in a deal rooted in shared respect between the two companies and their home countries.
The partnership was made possible by Ukraine’s decision to share its expertise in counter-UAS interceptor drones with a trusted European partner. Orqa, headquartered in Osijek, Croatia, is widely regarded as Europe’s leading UAV company. By combining Ukrainian battlefield knowledge with Orqa’s proven production capacity, the two firms aim to bolster NATO resilience and ensure European-built defenses can protect European skies without pulling resources away from Ukraine’s own defense efforts.
How the Orqa Counter-Drone Partnership Will Work
The initial focus of the agreement centers on the development and manufacture of interceptor drones, components, and other counter-UAV systems. Work to establish joint manufacturing facilities in both Croatia and Ukraine is already underway, and the companies expect the first products to be available in the near future. The deal reflects a mutual manufacturing model designed to localize production across both countries.
General Cherry ranks as the number one interceptor drone developer in Ukraine and holds the top position among all FPV drone developers according to official data from the Army of Drones Bonus program. The company brings real-world combat experience from an active conflict zone where drones play a central role in daily operations. Orqa, meanwhile, produces components and integrated systems for customers in over 50 markets worldwide, including 24 NATO member states. The company builds all of its products without any Chinese parts, and its vertically integrated production model means every key element is designed, engineered, and built in-house. That approach makes the Orqa supply chain resistant to geopolitical disruptions.
“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our company and Ukrainian defence-tech as a whole. We are launching a major and promising partnership with a company that brings over a decade of experience and leading expertise in the UAV industry. Our shared goal is clear: to help build a new architecture of European and global security. Ukraine’s unique battlefield experience, combined with Orqa’s technological expertise, creates a powerful synergy. Together, we are ready to change the game” Yaroslav Gryshyn, Co-Founder of General Cherry
What General Cherry and Orqa Bring to the Table
The partnershi