NATO Nations Gain Faster Access to Combat-Proven Danish Drones Through New Procurement Agreement
Sky-Watch’s RQ-35 Heidrun, deployed in Ukraine and other conflict zones, is now available to participating NATO nations through a streamlined procurement framework.
Danish drone manufacturer Sky-Watch has been selected as a supplier under a framework agreement with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The agreement gives participating NATO nations a faster, more direct way to purchase the company’s combat-proven RQ-35 Heidrun unmanned aircraft system.
The agreement was awarded through NSPA’s AGS & UAS Programme on behalf of the UAS Partnership. It provides a streamlined procurement process for participating nations, offering an alternative to potentially lengthy national purchasing procedures.
The framework covers procurement and in-service logistics support for fixed-wing mini unmanned aircraft systems. It allows eligible nations to acquire the RQ-35 Heidrun through NSPA, although the announcement does not identify specific orders or purchase commitments.
“We are particularly excited that this framework agreement provides NATO Allies with a significantly simplified and more direct path to procurement. As an alternative to what can sometimes be lengthy national procurement processes, it enables faster access to proven operational capabilities – particularly at a time when the need to field unmanned capabilities across NATO at speed is increasingly urgent,” said Martin Schousboe, CEO of Sky-Watch.
Combat-Proven Reconnaissance Technology
The RQ-35 Heidrun is an unarmed drone designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The system provides military operators with situational awareness in frontline environments while reducing the need to expose personnel to danger.
According to Sky-Watch, the RQ-35 has demonstrated its operational capabilities in several conflict zones, including Ukraine. The company highlights its portability, resilience to electronic warfare, and ease of deployment as key features for military operations.
The NSPA agreement could expand access to the system among NATO nations seeking to strengthen their unmanned reconnaissance capabilities.
“Being selected under the NSPA framework is an important milestone for Sky-Watch and a strong validation of the quality and operational capabilities of the RQ-35 Heidrun. In a highly competitive international market, we believe our selection reflects the strength of our technology and the operational value we deliver to our customers,” said Schousboe.
Expanding Access to European Drone Systems
The agreement also supports Sky-Watch’s plans to expand its international operations and production capacity as demand for military drones grows.
Sky-Watch, headquartered in Denmark, is part of AIRO Group Holdings (Nasdaq: AIRO), a U.S.-based aerospace and defense company. In addition to the RQ-35 Heidrun, Sky-Watch manufactures the RQ-70 Dainn, a longer-range unmanned aircraft system.
The new procurement framework provides Sky-Watch with a channel to reach participating NATO nations without requiring each country to establish a separate procurement process.
For NATO members, the agreement offers a more direct route to acquiring an existing reconnaissance platform with operational experience in active conflict zones.