Primoco UAV Reports Strong Nine-Month Financial Growth

Two distinct developments highlight activity in the drone sector this week. Czech manufacturer Primoco UAV has released robust financial results for the first nine months of 2026, alongside plans for a new factory and aircraft. Separately, telecommunications firm Ericsson is proposing a novel use for existing 5G mobile network infrastructure, turning cell towers into a wide-area layer for drone detection and tracking.

Primoco UAV's Financial Performance

Primoco UAV SE reported revenue of CZK 430.9 million for the first nine months of 2026, a 69% increase compared to the same period the previous year. The company's EBITDA grew by 246% to CZK 144.0 million, with its net profit more than doubling to CZK 107.9 million. Its EBITDA margin reached 33.4%, a significant rise from 16.3% a year earlier.

The manufacturer delivered 14 of its One 150 unmanned aircraft during this period and expects to deliver a total of 32 units for the full year, with many scheduled for the final quarter. The company is actively pursuing two major business opportunities in Europe, each with a potential value exceeding EUR 100 million and involving deliveries of up to 200 aircraft over several years, though contracts are not yet signed. Primoco UAV maintains a strong balance sheet with CZK 205.4 million in cash and no bank borrowings as of September 30, 2026.

Beyond current operations, the company is investing in future growth. Construction on a new manufacturing facility in Písek is set to begin in January 2027, with completion targeted for summer 2028 to boost production capacity. Technologically, Primoco is developing its own jet-powered interceptor designed for the One 150M platform, with a planned speed of up to 700 km/h. Ladislav Semetkovský, founder and CEO, stated the results confirm the company's ability to deliver strong profitability as revenue grows, adding, "Our goal is to establish Primoco UAV as a leading European supplier of certified unmanned aircraft and defence systems."

Ericsson's 5G Detection System

Ericsson has introduced an Integrated Sensing and Communication system that uses existing 5G mobile network infrastructure to detect and track drones. The technology analyzes how radio signals bounce off objects like drones, enabling detection even when the aircraft is not connected to the cellular network. This approach is presented as a potential solution for monitoring small, inexpensive drones that are difficult for traditional security systems to spot due to their size and flight patterns.

The system employs a multi-static sensing approach, using geographically separated network sites to transmit and receive signals, observing an object from multiple angles. Ericsson says this allows for improved detection confidence, precise 3D positioning, and continuous tracking as an object moves. The company claims its technology reliably detected and tracked micro drones at kilometer-scale distances during validated testing. Actual performance, however, would depend on factors like the drone's characteristics, flight profile, and local terrain.

The core advantage is leveraging infrastructure already in place, such as cell towers and backhaul connections across cities and transport corridors. Detection data from the system can be shared with authorized security platforms and command-and-control systems. Ericsson positions the technology not as a replacement for dedicated radar or counter-drone systems, but as a complementary layer for wider-area monitoring. The company has already conducted live 5G trials of the ISAC capabilities, including a collaboration in Arlington, Texas.