PDKINEMATICS, a Lithuanian defence-technology startup, has completed a €2 million seed funding round to advance its Gannet precision-guidance system for small unmanned aerial vehicles. The capital injection will support product development, manufacturing expansion, and the pursuit of commercial contracts across Europe.
Founded in 2022, PDKINEMATICS was established by Rapolas Markevičius, a former private-equity manager who shifted focus to defence innovation. The company has developed a low-SWaP-C (size, weight, power, and cost) guidance module designed to enhance the operational capabilities of small drones used by military and defence organisations.
Addressing modern drone challenges
The Gannet system addresses a critical operational challenge for small UAV operators. According to Markevičius, the technology enables substantial improvements in mission effectiveness: “Our systems allow UAVs to operate at much higher altitudes while maintaining precision, reducing their exposure to counter-air threats on the ground.”
By allowing drones to maintain accuracy at higher altitudes, the system reduces vulnerability to ground-based air defence systems—a consideration increasingly relevant given current conflict dynamics in Eastern Europe. The precision-guidance module is designed to be compatible with existing small drone platforms, positioning it as an adaptable solution for various operators.
Commercial roadmap and funding deployment
PDKINEMATICS plans to deploy the €2 million across several strategic priorities. The capital will support continued development of the Gannet system, scale manufacturing operations to meet anticipated demand, and fund business development efforts to secure contracts with European defence customers. The funding represents the company’s total capitalisation to date.
The timing of the raise suggests confidence in market demand for enhanced drone capabilities, particularly among European operators seeking to modernise their unmanned systems. The focus on European commercial contracts aligns with growing regional emphasis on defence autonomy and technological sovereignty.
Emerging defence-tech ecosystem
The funding reflects broader trends within Europe’s emerging defence-technology sector. As traditional defence procurement accelerates and regional security concerns intensify, startups addressing specific capability gaps have increasingly attracted capital. Lithuania, in particular, has positioned itself as a contributor to European defence innovation, building on its NATO membership and geographic proximity to evolving security challenges.
PDKINEMATICS joins a cohort of European defence-focused startups developing advanced systems for military applications. The company’s focus on precision guidance—a foundational requirement for effective autonomous and semi-autonomous operations—addresses a capability tier below major defence contractors, where agile startups can innovate rapidly.
The Lithuanian startup’s progress will be noteworthy for investors and defence procurers monitoring European alternatives to established foreign suppliers. As the company moves from development to commercialisation, its ability to secure institutional customers will validate the Gannet system’s technical performance and market viability within European defence ecosystems increasingly focused on operational advantage and technological resilience.