Uforce Raises $700M in Series A Funding to Expand Ukraine-Focused Autonomous Defense Production
By Greg Bock · · 3 min read
Insider Brief
- Ukraine-founded defense technology company Uforce raised $700 million in Series A funding at a $6 billion valuation to expand production of autonomous military systems for Ukraine and allied nations.
- The round was co-led by Valor Equity Partners and the UK National Wealth Fund, with participation from the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund and investors including Menlo Ventures, Xantium and Hiro Capital.
- Uforce plans to expand manufacturing of its MAGURA maritime drones, NEMESIS aerial drones, LIUT ground vehicles and PREDATOR turret systems across allied countries, while supporting operations and research in Ukraine.
Ukraine-founded defense technology company Uforce has raised $700 million in Series A funding at a $6 billion valuation to expand production of autonomous military systems for Ukraine and allied nations.
The round was co-led by Valor Equity Partners and the UK National Wealth Fund, with participation from the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, according to Uforce. Other investors included Menlo Ventures, Xantium and Hiro Capital, while existing backers Shield Capital, Ballistic Ventures, Lakestar and Squadra increased their stakes.
Headquartered in London, with major operations in Kyiv and Washington, Uforce develops uncrewed systems for air, land and sea operations, along with AI software for coordinating and controlling them. The company said the funding will support manufacturing expansion across the United States, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, while maintaining production and supplies for Ukrainian forces despite continued attacks in Ukraine.
Expanding Autonomous Defense Production
Uforce plans to increase production and research and development across four product families: MAGURA uncrewed surface vessels, NEMESIS aerial drones, LIUT ground vehicles and PREDATOR turret systems.
The company also anticipates working with partners in allied countries to adapt existing maritime and automotive manufacturing facilities for defense production.
Uforce recently announced a partnership with ReconCraft to expand U.S. manufacturing of its Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus (MAGURA) vessels. It also plans to build on relationships within NATO and Joint Expeditionary Force networks and continue participating as a founding member of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance.
CEO Oleg Rogynskyy said the financing will help increase production for Ukraine while providing allied nations with autonomous systems they can deploy, integrate and maintain.
“The war in Ukraine has shown that in an increasingly volatile world, effective defense requires systems that can keep improving as threats change,” noted Rogynskyy. “Governments and the technology ecosystem need to come together to develop cost-effective, interoperable, and autonomous platforms that are ready to fight now, and can evolve to meet future needs.”
Investment Supports Ukrainian Operations
The U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund’s participation will specifically support Uforce’s operations in Ukraine, including staffing, research and development, and new products. The fund was established jointly by the United States and Ukraine to attract investment into reconstruction, economic development and strategic industries.
Uforce also announced that retired Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe and a partner at Valor Equity Partners, will join its board of directors.
