In today’s rapidly growing technological landscape, startups are at the forefront of innovation, driving transformation across various industries.
The defence industry, currently undergoing radical changes, is no exception.
With global security concerns on the rise and threats becoming increasingly complex, there’s a growing need for advanced, cost-effective solutions.
Consequently, a new set of companies is emerging, replacing the traditional defence mechanisms (once dependent on heavy hardware and extensive manpower) with swift, software-driven solutions.
Enter Nordic Air Defence, a Stockholm-based startup that aims to redefine the European defence tech scene.
Founded by Karl Rosander, a veteran in the tech industry, the Swedish company is already making waves with its first product – the Kreuger 100 drone interceptor platform.
Ahead of the Resilience Conference in London, we at Silicon Canals had the exclusive opportunity to speak with Karl Rosander, who also shared the first visuals of the Kreuger 100.
Scheduled for September 26 – 27, Resilience Conference unites international startups, investors, and customers in security, defence, and resilience.
This conference will serve as a conduit for NATO and partner governments and primes to engage directly with the startup founders and investors creating the modern defence innovation ecosystem.
In this edition of “New Kid on the Block,” Rosander discusses his startup’s mission, Kreuger 100, challenges while developing, the role of advanced software in the defence sector, and much more.
Do give it a read!
The birth of Nordic Air Defence
Karl Rosander, known for his successful ventures like the podcasting platform Acast, has now turned his sights to the defence sector.
Rosander founded Nordic Air Defence to address the growing threat posed by drones in both military and civil settings.
Rosander explains, “The way wars are waged is evolving, with aggressors increasingly using drones to gain an advantage. It includes swarms and autonomous kamikaze drones, once seen as science fiction. They pose a threat not only to military assets but also to critical infrastructure like oil tankers and power plants.”
According to Rosander, conventional anti-drone weapons like jammers, lasers, and kinetic weapons are costly or ineffective against modern threats.
“I wanted to build a company that could meet this challenge and ensures that cutting-edge portable defence tech could be in the hands of those who need it while driving down the cost. My goal was to transform the defence industry from within, making Europe more self-reliant and less dependent on outside help,” he adds.
Unveiling the Kreuger 100
Made in Sweden, the Kreuger 100 is a dual-use (civil and military) drone interceptor platform that uses batteries instead of fuel-based propulsion.
As per the company’s claims, Kreuger 100 will be ten times cheaper to produce than some conventional technology, such as interceptors or missiles, used to destroy drones.
Describing about it, he says, “We’ve cut much of the hardware that was once considered essential and replaced it with software. That reduces the unit cost, allows for mass manufacturing, and results in customers being able to scale their arsenals of interceptors to meet threats.”
While typical interceptors rely heavily on hardware like motors, flight controllers, and cameras, the Kreuger 100 minimises these components through advanced aircraft control software.
Explaining this approach, Rosander says, “We’ve challenged that status quo and developed complex aircraft control software which reduces the amount of this hardware required. This results in a high-speed, low-cost, and easy-to-manufacture kinetic drone interceptor.”
While specific details about the Kreuger 100’s functionality remain confidential, Rosander assured Silicon Canals that its controlling and targeting capabilities are unprecedented.
Overcoming challenges in development
Developing state-of-the-art defence technology is no small feat, and Nordic Air Defence faced several challenges along the way.
The team had a challenging task ahead of them, from navigating complex ethical questions to dealing with long procurement cycles.
“Europe doesn’t have the luxury of years and years spent in development time, and nor did we. Our team – consisting of former staff from some of the world’s leading defence, drone, and AI companies – was up to the challenge,” he states.
However, their diverse experience and expertise allowed them to overcome these hurdles.
Beyond former Acast team members, Nordic Air Defence has staff from US defence titans, Palantir and Kratos, FOI (the Swedish Defence Research Agency), industrial titan SAAB, and the Stockholm-based AI and data science consultancy, Codon.
The company also includes colleagues who are alumni of leading international drone developers, such as Katla from Sweden, Quantum Systems from Germany, and Zipline from San Francisco.
Simplifying user experience
One of the standout features of the Kreuger 100 is its user-friendly design, claims the Swedish company.
Traditional drone defence systems often require extensive training, but the Kreuger 100 is designed for ease of use.
Its lightweight and portable nature makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, from military operations to protecting civil infrastructure.
“The Kreuger 100’s portability increases the scenarios in which it can provide defence, as well as simple-to-use modular payloads to ensure versatility to match every customer requirement,” says Rosander.
The role of advanced software in defence technologies
Rosander expects a future where advanced software tech, such as AI and autonomous systems, plays a central role in enhancing defence technologies’ capabilities.
However, he also highlights the importance of responsible innovation.
“While advanced software offers benefits like increased efficiency and adaptability, there’s a significant risk of humans losing control over attack weapons, leading to unintended and potentially catastrophic consequences,” cautions Rosander. “It’s crucial to implement robust safeguards to ensure human oversight remains integral in defence operations. Europe must develop its own autonomous systems capabilities, in order not to be reliant on the US.”
Long-term goals and global expansion
Stockholm-based Nordic Air Defence has ambitious plans for the future, and Kreuger 100 is one of the many upcoming innovations that will provide Europe with a future-facing approach to defence tech.
At present, the company is focused on countering airborne threats, but it is planning to broaden its capabilities to handle robotic threats in all areas, including air, land, sea, and subsea.
“Europe and NATO are our priority,” Rosander concludes. “We intend to build a formidable arsenal of tools for commercial institutions and governments alike to destroy unmanned threats.”
01
Tech meets private credit: Demystifying Norsad Capital’s efficiency boost with PE Front Office