Slovak firm called InoBat announced Monday that it would introduce a battery for military drones and unmanned aerial systems in response to an increase in European defense budget.
In addition to being “in early-stage collaboration with selected European drone manufacturers,” the company will begin producing the E10 cell in September, CEO Marian Bocek told Reports.
“We are engaging with drone manufacturers that require a technologically superior European battery solution,” Bocek stated.
In the past, the company has concentrated on batteries for electric vehicles and electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles.
Some businesses have started retooling automobile plants for military manufacture as Europe rushes to boost production of tanks, radars, and missiles in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands that it handle its own defense.
For example, French munitions company Europlasma is taking over a foundry that was formerly owned by a French carmaker, and Rheinmetall, the largest ammunition manufacturer in Europe, has announced that it will convert two automotive parts plants to produce defense equipment.
According to InoBat, the E10 cell has a 60 percent longer flight time than existing cells on the market, can carry a 40 percent larger payload, and charges in less than 15 minutes.
Bocek stated that it “was a natural evolution” of InoBat “driven by demand for European-made, high-spec batteries in both defence and industrial drone markets” .
More than 400 million euros ($447 million) have been raised by the Slovak battery manufacturer, including 100 million euros in funding that was revealed in December.
Gotion, a Chinese battery manufacturer, owns 10% of InoBat. The two businesses have a joint venture that will begin manufacturing EV batteries for Volkswagen in 2027.
According to reports, CEO Bocek stated that the drone battery division is independent of its partnership with Gotion and fully complies with NATO supply chain regulations.