FlyFocus, a Polish defence technology firm specializing in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has secured $5.3 million in its first institutional funding round. The investment was led by ffVC with participation from the NCBR Investment Fund, the venture capital arm of Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development. This capital injection is set to scale the company's production of battlefield-tested drone systems and reinforce Europe's defence technology sovereignty amid growing geopolitical concerns.
Countering Strategic Supply Chain Dependencies
The funding arrives as European nations confront the risks of relying on non-European technologies, particularly Chinese components that dominate the global drone supply chain. FlyFocus was founded on the principle of technological sovereignty, building its systems exclusively with components from NATO-aligned suppliers. This strict policy ensures full supply-chain transparency and compliance with Europe's most demanding defence procurement requirements, directly addressing critical security vulnerabilities.
From Self-Funded Growth to Battlefield Validation
Established in 2017 by a team of aerospace engineers, FlyFocus has grown over eight years without institutional funding, transitioning from research and development to full-scale production. The company has secured direct military contracts and counts the Polish and Ukrainian Ministries of Defence among its key customers. Its platforms have been deployed and validated in active combat in Ukraine, providing an invaluable feedback loop for continuous system refinement under real-world operational conditions.
A Portfolio of Production-Ready Systems
FlyFocus offers a comprehensive portfolio of production-ready systems, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, loitering munitions, and counter-drone technologies. Its flagship products include the Polaris, a lightweight fixed-wing ISR drone designed for single-operator deployment, and the Striker, a deep-strike platform with a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. The company has also developed CableGuard, a tethered UAV system providing persistent aerial surveillance for institutional users.
A key strategic advantage for the company is its full ownership of its entire software stack, encompassing flight control, mission planning, and ground control station software. This in-house control, paired with a modular hardware architecture, enables FlyFocus to rapidly deploy upgrades in response to new threats. This agility ensures that systems in active conflict zones receive regular updates to maintain operational effectiveness against evolving electronic warfare challenges.
Investment to Fuel Expansion and Innovation
The $5.3 million investment will be strategically allocated to enhance the company's manufacturing capabilities and expand its global reach. A primary objective is the construction of a new dedicated production facility in Poland, which is planned to be operational by the second half of 2026. The funding will also support increased international sales activities and fuel continued research and development, including two new UAV platforms scheduled for release this year.
Investors have underscored the strategic importance of FlyFocus in bolstering Europe's defence industrial base. Mariusz Adamski of ffVC praised the company as a production-ready platform aligned with the long-term needs of EU defence ministries. Similarly, Paweł Materniak of the NCBR Investment Fund highlighted the investment's role in strengthening Poland's domestic industrial capabilities and contributing to the continent's long-term security and technological independence.
Ultimately, this funding round marks a significant milestone for FlyFocus and a strategic advancement for European defence. By scaling a company committed to secure supply chains and battlefield-proven technology, the investment strengthens Poland's industrial capacity and promotes greater technological autonomy across the continent. It represents a crucial step toward building a resilient and self-reliant European defence ecosystem capable of meeting modern security challenges.