Peter Thiel-backed German drone startup Quantum Systems is set to invest €50 million (£43 million) in its UK operations over the next five years, following the acquisition of Nordic Unmanned UK. The move underscores the company’s ambitions to strengthen its foothold in the UK’s defense ecosystem by funding infrastructure, local engineering, maintenance, repair operations, and partnerships with British providers.
The investment comes as the race to dominate the AI-powered defence drone market intensifies. Rival European defence tech unicorn Helsing has already raised €1.5 billion to date: including €600 million in June 2025 and is currently valued at around €13 billion . Meanwhile, US-based Skydio has secured around $740 million in venture funding and is valued at approximately $2.5 billion, positioning itself as a key supplier for both military and civilian drone operations.
As per the company press release, with the launch of Quantum-Systems Ltd. UK, an expansion strategy to embed the company deeply within the British ecosystem, creating a long-term foundation for advanced drone development and support is on the tow. Further, the company’s growth is backed by a diverse mix of investors, with funding directed toward building sovereign capabilities on British soil. The investment will go into creating a Service, Support, Training, and Logistics Center (SSTLC), as well as maintenance and repair operations to ensure long-term resilience of its platforms.
Quantum Systems is also planning to develop training and test infrastructure, fostering local engineering skills and generating new jobs. A Memorandum of Understanding with Skyports, set to be signed at DSEI UK 2025, highlights its intent to partner with UK providers and strengthen the local value chain. This aligns with the Ministry of Defence’s 20-40-40 strategy, which envisions 20% crewed platforms directing 40% reusable systems like drones and 40% expendable systems such as missiles.
From vision to venture: How the idea took flight
The roots of Quantum Systems go back to 2015, when aerospace engineer Florian Seibel, and a group of experts in robotics and remote sensing – Tobias Kloss and Armin Busse came together to address a critical gap. It is the lack of drones that were both modular and built to perform under extreme conditions.
Seibel’s military aviation background helped shape the vision of drones as reliable tools for both combat and civilian applications. The team’s engineering expertise pushed the boundaries of design, resulting in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) platforms with exceptional range, adaptability, and autonomy.
What began as a small venture in Germany has since grown into one of Europe’s most advanced drone innovators, widely recognised for bridging the worlds of military-grade reliability and commercial adaptability.
What Quantum Systems deliver?
Quantum Systems designs and manufactures small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), specialising in electric vertical take-off and landing drones. Its systems cover a wide range of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, from short- to long-range. At DSEI UK 2025, the company is unveiling Reliant, its latest long-range ISR drone that completes its portfolio of aerial intelligence platforms. All its drones are controlled via the company’s MOSAIC UXS software, offering seamless mission planning and execution.
But Quantum Systems is more than just a defence supplier. Its drones are deployed across mining, agriculture, construction, utilities, and public safety, where aerial data capture and analysis improve efficiency and safety. By combining cutting-edge hardware with onboard processing and autonomy, the company enables operators to make faster, smarter decisions. With over 175,000 logged flight hours and proven reliability, its platforms are trusted by both corporations and governments worldwide.
People behind the push
To lead its UK operations, Quantum Systems has appointed Vito Tomasi as Managing Director of Quantum-Systems Ltd. UK. Tomasi began his career as a Royal Marine, serving on global deployments including Afghanistan, before moving into finance with Goldman Sachs and later investment roles at Speedinvest. His rare blend of operational military experience, financial expertise, and innovation leadership makes him well-suited to steer the company’s British expansion.
Martin Karkour, CRO of Quantum Systems said: “Our mission is clear. The UK is investing in autonomy, resilience, and next-generation unmanned intelligence. With our UK hub, our acquisition of Nordic Unmanned UK, and the leadership of Vito Tomasi, Quantum Systems is committed to being the trusted partner delivering these capabilities for Britain’s defence and security.”
Vito Tomasi, Managing Director of Quantum Systems UK, stated: “Quantum Systems is here to stay and deepen our investment in the UK. By investing in British talent, infrastructure, and partnerships, and by delivering our proven, battlefield-ready aerial intelligence systems, we will contribute to the UK’s defence priorities and even exceed expectations.”
