Alta Ares wins six lots in NATO counter-drone framework contract
Alta Ares’ battle-tested hard-kill systems enter the NATO counter-drone catalogue. Allies can now order them directly, with no new tender.
Paris, 5 November 2026. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has selected Alta Ares as one of five companies, from close to 100 applicants, for its counter-drone framework contract. Alta Ares won six of the 16 lots awarded, more than any other company, alongside established defence companies from the US, UK and Germany. Allied countries will be able to order its systems directly from NATO’s catalogue without running a new tender.
The six lots cover area defence and border protection. Alta Ares is the only supplier selected for area defence across all three mobility levels: static, transportable and on-the-move. NCIA assessed bids on technical capability and cost, and Alta Ares built its offer on its operational experience.
Alta Ares builds integrated air defence systems powered by AI. Its platform combines software, sensors, command and control, and interceptors to detect, identify, track and defeat aerial threats. Its AI-first software is fed by battlefield data from Ukraine and operations in the Gulf. Its counter-drone system is designed to counter Shahed-type long-range attack drones and loitering munitions. Its systems are built against the threat, not just tested against it.
“A counter-drone system has to work end-to-end, from detecting a threat to intercepting it. We built Alta Ares around that requirement, with software informed by battlefield data from Ukraine. We are committed to making affordable, next-generation air defence capabilities available at the scale Allied countries need.”
Alta Ares is increasing production with its industrial partners and has set up dedicated teams to deliver the contract. For significant orders, it plans to establish production in the customer country. The company is also working to consolidate and expand its European supply chain.
About the framework
The Framework Contract for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Capabilities is part of the Drone Edge Marketplace under NATO’s Rapid Adoption Action Plan. It is designed to shorten procurement cycles through a catalogue of preselected systems. Allied countries can buy or lease the selected systems. NATO also plans to fund equipment for demonstrations and trials to support adoption by Allied countries. This new procurement model gives Allies speed and agility against rapidly evolving threats.
About Alta Ares
Founded in 2024, Alta Ares builds AI-powered integrated air defence systems combining software, sensors, command and control, and interceptors. Its systems are deployed in multiple operational theatres. The company operates in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
