Startup secures seed funding

GALLIUM DEFENSE, a Paris-based startup founded in April 2026, has raised 7.1 million euros in seed funding to industrialize a drone detection radar intended for critical infrastructure and armed forces. The funds will support the development and deployment of its first product, the GDS-10.

Radar completes testing

The company's first product, the GDS-10, has completed outdoor tests and is expected to open orders in the first quarter of 2027. The GDS-10 is an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar designed to detect and track drones, with two versions planned for critical infrastructure operators and the military.

Radar capabilities

It has a target range of 10 kilometers for class I and FPV drones, with 360-degree azimuth coverage and 90-degree elevation coverage. The radar is intended to track multiple drones simultaneously, including within a swarm, making it suitable for complex environments.

Cost reduction strategy

GALLIUM DEFENSE aims to reduce the cost of radars to 20 percent of traditional prices while meeting 80 percent of the need, according to co-founder and CEO Eric Fournier. The company is using commercial components and embedded computing to achieve this goal, relying on mass-produced parts and adapting their assembly and data processing to detection requirements.

Radar design innovation

The radar's architecture is described as a "radically rethought AESA radar architecture," with extensive use of commercial components and embedded computing. This approach aims to make high-performance radar systems more accessible and affordable for a range of applications.

Experienced leadership

The startup's team includes Eric Fournier, who previously advised defense and aerospace actors at Boston Consulting Group; Florian Lemoine, technical director with experience at NATO, BCG, and the French General Directorate of Armaments; and Robin Mandel, operations director with experience at Thales, BCG, and Safran.

Collaborations and partnerships

GALLIUM DEFENSE has partnered with specialists from the French "Microwave Valley" for radar design and prototyping. This collaboration is expected to enhance the technical capabilities and innovation of the GDS-10 radar system.

Competitive market landscape

The company is entering a market with existing European suppliers, including the Dutch ROBIN RADAR SYSTEMS, which markets the IRIS radar for drone detection, and the Danish WEIBEL, which offers the XENTA range of active antenna radars for small target surveillance and infrastructure protection.

Manufacturing and deployment goals

GALLIUM DEFENCE aims to manufacture and deploy hundreds of its radars, not just units, according to Robin Mandel. This goal reflects the company's ambition to scale its operations and meet the growing demand for drone detection solutions.

Investor backing

The seed funding was led by KEEN VENTURE PARTNERS and 360 CAPITAL, with participation from OMNES CAPITAL and POLYTECHNIQUE VENTURES. The funds will be used for industrialization, recruitment, AI model training, and client demonstrations.

Company resources

The company's website is gallium-defense.com, where more information about its products, team, and vision can be found.