Croatian drone company Orqa has won a $38 million U.S. contract through its partnership with American firm By Light. The deal will expand drone production in Florida and strengthen Orqa’s presence in the American market.
Orqa U.S. secured the contract through the Drone Dominance Gauntlet II program. The company was among nine firms that earned a place in the program.
The deal will help the U.S. government obtain more drones that meet its safety and technical standards.
Orqa, based in Osijek, Croatia, provides the drone technology. Meanwhile, By Light handles production in the United States.
The companies will make the drones at By Light’s factory in Port Orange, Florida.
Croatian Drone Technology Heads to Florida
The contract covers a system known as MRM2. It includes a small drone that measures about 20 centimeters across.
The drone can operate in small indoor spaces. Orqa also provides the equipment that operators use to control it.
As a result, technology developed in Croatia will become part of drones made in the United States.
The new deal follows an earlier $1.5 million contract. Under that agreement, Orqa U.S. delivered 240 drones.
The company then performed well in the second stage of Drone Dominance Gauntlet II. That success helped it win the larger contract.
Orqa Expands Its Business in the United States
Orqa U.S. CEO Charles Phillips called the new contract an important step for the company.
He said the partnership combines proven drone technology with American production. This approach helps the company meet U.S. government needs.
Orqa started in Osijek and develops drones and control systems. The Croatian company also makes technology for first-person-view (FPV) drones.
Its partnership with By Light gives Orqa access to the American defense market.
The $38 million contract will also help the company grow its business in the United States.
For Orqa, the agreement represents another major U.S. project involving technology developed in Croatia.
