Estonian company Vegivisir announced it will participate in the development of the European Union’s next-generation tactical drones through the Vantage project.
The Vantage project aims to develop a modular, interoperable, and scalable European tactical drone platform tailored to modern battlefield and security needs.
Vantage is officially supported by four EU Member States, Latvia, Romania, Belgium and Estonia, underlining strong governmental backing and recognition of the project’s potential positive impact on the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).
Led by Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT), the European Defence Fund project was officially launched in Riga with a kick-off meeting that gathered consortium partners to define the technical roadmap and establish operational priorities for the project’s R&D activities.
A modular and interoperable European drone platform
Vantage focuses on a versatile Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) integrating advanced C4ISR and kinetic capabilities, enabling the rapid integration of new sensors, effectors, and communications systems. Through its Interoperable Modular and Scalable Architecture (IMOSA), the platform is designed to remain adaptable to future technologies and evolving mission requirements.
Engineered for all European climates, the drone targets 10+ hours of endurance, a 200 km operational range, a 20 kg payload, and low-observable operations. This makes it suitable for a wide range of users, from EU Ministries of Defence and Special Operations Forces to armoured units, naval detachments, border authorities, and emergency services.
Besides Vegvisir from Estonia, a European consortium uniting Latvijas Mobilais Telefons SIA (LV, coordinator), Cavok UAS (FR), Centro de Observacion y Teledeteccion Espacial Sau (ES), C&V Defence (BE), the Institutul National de Cercetare‑Dezvoltare Aerospatiala “Elie Carafoli” INCAS București (RO), M3 Systems (BE), and UAV Navigation S.L.U. (ES) has been established.
Operationally driven and aligned with Europe’s strategic priorities and values
Vantage directly draws on operational lessons from Ukraine, ensuring that real battlefield experience is embedded in the system’s development from the outset. The project also contributes to the Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine, supporting rapid testing, validation, and operational feedback for drone technologies. The Coalition has identified two key challenges: reconnaissance and precision strike against enemy targets in compliance with armed conflict laws and the EU ethics values, both of which are central to Vantage’s design.
The project also aims to deliver a credible European alternative to non-EU drone suppliers, strengthening interoperability, survivability, and autonomous cooperation between systems. It also contributes to the emergence of a future European standard for small tactical UAS.
GOOD TO KNOW
- The VANTAGE project was chosen by the European Commission in 2024 under the European Defence Fund (EDF).
- The EU is providing €10,091,395.31 to support the project.
- The EDF is the EU’s main program for funding defence research and development.
- It aims to encourage cooperation between companies of all sizes and research organisations across the EU.
- It supports investment in developing new defence capabilities.
- It helps European companies create advanced, interoperable defence technologies and equipment.
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