Volvo Defense has entered into a strategic partnership with Nordic Air Defence, a Swedish defense technology startup, to create a new counter-drone capability tailored for frontline military vehicles. The joint effort, revealed during a London defense technology forum, introduces the VIPRO system, an advanced vehicle-mounted counter-UAS solution projected for deployment in 2026. VIPRO’s architecture integrates Volvo’s tactical truck platforms with Nordic’s Kreuger 100XR drone interceptor, enabling the creation of a pod-based launcher that can autonomously track and destroy adversary drones. The interceptor’s range exceeds 3 kilometers and is enhanced by artificial intelligence algorithms for detection and engagement, reducing reliance on manual operator input. Designed with modularity in mind, the system is adaptable across multiple environments, including land, maritime, and airborne platforms, increasing its appeal for wider adoption. This initiative addresses a pressing need within modern warfare, where low-cost drones have reshaped the battlefield. Evidence from the Ukraine conflict shows that inexpensive drones have inflicted disproportionate damage on armored vehicles, artillery, and supply convoys, prompting NATO to invest heavily in drone defense technologies. With two-thirds of Russian vehicle losses linked to drones, militaries now recognize the vulnerability of logistics vehicles as a critical concern. Volvo, already supplying hundreds of trucks to Sweden’s armed forces, is well positioned to incorporate the c-UAS solution into its fleets. Together with Nordic Air Defence, the company seeks to deliver a robust, AI-enabled protective layer that enhances operational security for deployed forces, offering a versatile and scalable counter-drone defense solution to NATO allies and global partners.
