Croatian technology company Orqa is expanding into the United States through a new strategic partnership that will see the company establish drone production operations on American soil. The move represents one of the most significant international expansions by a Croatian defense and technology firm in recent years.
Together with its U.S. partner, By Light Professional IT Services, Orqa is launching a new company, Orqa U.S. LLC, with headquarters in Palo Alto, California, while manufacturing operations will be based in Florida. The expansion is designed to position the company closer to the rapidly growing American market for advanced unmanned systems and defense technologies.
The production complex in Florida reportedly spans around 17,000 square meters and includes specialized assembly lines for drones, CNC processing systems, and facilities for composite materials manufacturing. The site also contains its own customs unit and logistics infrastructure, which is expected to accelerate distribution and operational efficiency across the U.S. market.
Company officials describe the expansion as a major milestone in Orqa’s global strategy. According to co founder and CEO Srđan Kovačević, the partnership combines technology developed in Croatia with American industrial infrastructure, enabling the company to respond more directly to the demands of one of the world’s most competitive markets.
The move comes amid a broader boom in the global drone industry, particularly in the defense sector, where demand has surged following developments in Ukraine and other geopolitical hotspots. Croatian drone manufacturers have increasingly positioned themselves as important players in Europe’s growing defense technology ecosystem.
Orqa has already significantly expanded its manufacturing capacity in Croatia over the past year, with plans capable of reaching hundreds of thousands of drones annually. The company has emphasized that many of its systems are produced independently of Chinese supply chains, a factor that has become increasingly important for Western defense markets.
With its entry into the United States, Orqa is now aiming to position itself for future American defense programs and large scale procurement projects, signaling a new phase in the internationalization of Croatia’s high tech and defense industries.
