Hungarian 4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT) and Israeli Aeronautics Ltd. (Aeronautics), a leading developer and manufacturer of combat-proven unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and advanced intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) technologies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic cooperation.
Under the partnership, the companies will explore opportunities to offer modern UAS solutions, including loitering munitions (LM) and related technologies, to customers across Europe, with potential production taking place in Hungary. The parties will also assess the conditions for establishing a joint venture to support regional and global sales activities.
4iG SDT aims to become a key regional player in the development and manufacturing of tactical and mini-UAS systems, ensuring significant Hungarian added value across development, production, and export operations.
The cooperation focuses on assessing advanced unmanned aerial system capabilities, including research and development for mini-UAS and tactical UAV platforms, as well as enhancing intelligence, target acquisition, and data-collection functions. Particular emphasis will be placed on Aeronautics’ combat-proven Orbiter UAS family, strengthening modern ISR capabilities, and integrating NATO-compliant technological requirements.
The partnership also covers the assessment of operational and system integration aspects of loitering munitions. In parallel, both parties will examine the conditions for establishing European production and subsystem manufacturing capacities.
In addition, the cooperation includes preparations for European sales and support activities, along with an evaluation of Hungary’s potential role as a regional hub for selected tactical UAS models from the Orbiter family and for strengthening Aeronautics’ loitering munition presence in Europe.
As part of the agreement, the companies are assessing the possibility of establishing a joint venture that would enable the sale of Hungarian-manufactured UAV systems across the European market. Such a venture would further strengthen 4iG SDT’s defence industry position and enhance its export capabilities within the Central European tactical and mini-UAS ecosystem.
“The strategic cooperation agreement with Aeronautics opens new opportunities for the defence division of the 4iG Group. The establishment and localisation of unmanned aerial systems play a key role in building modern defence capabilities and strengthening Hungarian industrial competencies in developing NATO-compliant systems. Our cooperation with Aeronautics enables Hungary to become a leading UAS technology hub in the region,” said István Sárhegyi, CEO of 4iG SDT.
“The European UAS and loitering munition market is growing rapidly. Our strategic cooperation with the 4iG Group, a strong force in the European market, enables us to realise synergies between 4iG’s extensive footprint in Hungary and Europe and Aeronautics’ three decades of combat-proven expertise in tactical UAS and loitering munitions,” said Dan Slasky, President and CEO of the Aeronautics Group.
Aeronautics is a global leader in designing, developing, and manufacturing unmanned aerial systems for defence and homeland security markets. Supported by continuous research and development and battle-proven performance, the company’s broad product portfolio delivers advanced solutions for a wide range of ISR missions in modern operational environments.
The cooperation provides a foundation for building national capabilities in modern, NATO-compliant unmanned systems while significantly raising the technological standards of Hungary’s drone industry. It also enables close collaboration with a manufacturer whose technologies are proven in operational settings, increasing Hungarian added value and strengthening 4iG SDT’s long-term position within the Central European UAS technology ecosystem.
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4iG SDT
4iG Space and Defence Technologies Zrt. (4iG SDT) is a Hungarian company within the 4iG Group, specialising in the research, development, system integration, and international commercialisation of defence and space technologies. Its mission is to support the development of NATO-compliant defence capabilities through innovative solutions while connecting the Hungarian technology sector with the global defence industry. 4iG SDT is a key player in Hungary’s defence innovation ecosystem and is actively involved in preparing the civil utilisation of dual-use technologies.
www.4igsdt.hu
Aeronautics Ltd.
Aeronautics is a world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of unmanned aerial systems for global defence and homeland security markets. With continuous research and development and battle-proven operability, Aeronautics delivers advanced ISR solutions for modern battlefield requirements.
www.aeronautics-sys.com
Further information
Péter Elkán
Group Corporate Affairs and Communications Director
sa***@*ig.hu
