GKN seeks partners for new drone platform

GKN Aerospace, formerly Volvo Aero, has presented a prototype unmanned aerial vehicle. 

The system is being developed for the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) under a contract signed in November and valued at SEK 150 million.

- We believe this could be a billion-krona market, Hans Krokstrand, head of strategy and business development, told Dagens Industri.

The jet-powered system is primarily intended as an effector or loitering munition, designed for single-use missions such as the suppression of air defence systems. However, it is being developed as a modular platform capable of supporting a wider range of military applications.

The programme is led from Trollhättan, where GKN Aerospace is responsible for both the vehicle design and its turbojet engine. The airframe is produced at the company’s facility in the Netherlands, reflecting its distributed manufacturing model.

GKN Aerospace is seeking partners to integrate the platform into wider defence systems, signalling a collaborative approach to market entry.

Pricing has not been disclosed, but the company aims to keep unit costs low to support broader adoption across potential users.

A first test flight is planned for 2027. Sweden is identified as a prospective customer, alongside potential export markets, although no export decisions have yet been confirmed.

GKN Aerospace employs more than 2,000 people in Sweden and remains a central player in the national aerospace and defence sector. Its activities include maintenance of the engines used in the Gripen fighter aircraft.

The business was part of AB Volvo as Volvo Aero until its sale to the UK-based GKN in 2012. Since 2018, GKN has been owned by Melrose Industries.