Munich-based Quantum Systems has closed a $1.2 billion Series D financing that values the drone maker at roughly $8 billion post-money, more than doubling its valuation and handing Europe's defence-tech sector one of its largest venture rounds ever. The round was co-led by Blackstone, Noteus, Airbus and Advent, and announced on July 2.
A New European Defence Heavyweight
Alongside the co-leads, the financing drew BOND, Fidelity Management & Research Company, Wellington Management, A.P. Moller Holding and Elephant Lake Ventures, with existing backers Balderton and HV Capital returning. Morgan Stanley acted as exclusive financial adviser and placement agent. Co-CEO and co-founder Florian Seibel framed the ambition bluntly: "The future is unmanned... we are building a next generation neo prime that has the potential to disrupt defence as we know it today," adding that the company is profitable and now has more than $1.2 billion of dry powder to execute.
The raise lands amid an unprecedented wave of capital into European defence technology, following Helsing's $1.2 billion round at an $18 billion valuation and a string of counter-drone and autonomy rounds such as Six Robotics' €12 million raise for its Valkyrie drone swarms.
From Single Drones to a Multi-Domain Family of Systems
Quantum Systems built its reputation on electric VTOL reconnaissance aircraft — the Trinity Pro and the Vector, the latter heavily used by Ukrainian forces. Its systems flew more than 19,000 missions in Ukraine in 2025 alone. The Series D will accelerate a shift from individual platforms to an interoperable family of uncrewed systems connected through MOSAIC UXS, the company's software ecosystem for multi-domain autonomy across air, land and sea.
The company says it pairs triple-digit revenue growth with double-digit profitability — a rare financial profile in defence hardware — and has expanded production across Germany, Ukraine, the United States, Australia, Romania, the United Kingdom and the Baltics.
Airbus Deepens Its Bet
Beyond investing, Airbus Defence and Space agreed to deepen its strategic collaboration with Quantum Systems. Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn said modern combat is won through "decision speed," and that the partnership combines architectural, software and AI competencies to accelerate the sensor-to-shooter chain across both companies' portfolios. Blackstone's David Kaden pointed to a structural shift in the European defence market creating significant demand for capital, echoing the momentum behind rounds like Dominion Dynamics' record $139 million Canadian defence Series A.
Proceeds will fund expanded production capacity, supply-chain resilience, international growth and continued investment in software and AI — and, according to the company, potential acquisitions as it industrialises its multi-domain platform for allied markets.
Reporting based on coverage from Defence Industry Europe, CNBC and Bloomberg.