Drone: Sky-Watch RQ-35 Heidrun wins a public tender from the Dutch Ministry of Defence

The RQ-35 Heidrun drone selected to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the field, within the framework of NATO missions.

Støvring (Denmark), June 30, 2026 – Sky-Watch A/S, a European defense technology company and member of AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRO), announces that it has won a public contract from the Dutch Ministry of Defence. The tender was issued by the Material and IT Command (COMMIT), the ministerial entity responsible for the management of equipment and information systems.

The agreement provides for the delivery, starting in 2026, of a significant volume of drones, followed by a seven-year program of technical support and maintenance. Sky-Watch will not only ensure the delivery and integration of the systems, but also their maintenance, deployment, and long-term operational readiness within the Dutch armed forces.

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has selected Sky-Watch’s RQ-35 Heidrun drone to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the field, within the framework of NATO missions. These missions require reliable, real-time intelligence, which the system provides through its tactical capabilities and high-precision geolocation, including in highly contested environments.

The selection is based on proven performance in environments without satellite coverage, with a low error rate in target localization. It is also supported by a European supply chain ensuring long-term security and availability, as well as a software architecture enabling continuous improvement of the drone’s capabilities without requiring hardware replacement. In addition, it offers safe and intuitive operation, enabling rapid deployment and reduced training requirements, as well as secure and encrypted communications with robust performance against electromagnetic interference.

Customer testimonial
“The selection of the RQ-35 Heidrun drone is based on its strong operational performance and proven reliability in real-world conditions. The system has demonstrated remarkable consistency, including in environments without satellite coverage and in highly contested operational theaters, while meeting our requirements for reliability, ease of use, and long-term durability. Its European manufacturing, as well as the accompanying technical support, are also decisive advantages.”

Combat-proven capability and evolving software architecture
The Sky-Watch RQ-35 Heidrun is a combat-proven intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tool, widely deployed in operational conditions, notably in Ukraine. The drone is built around a specific software architecture enabling continuous capability improvement through controlled updates, allowing operators to rapidly adapt to evolving battlefield conditions.

Words from Sky-Watch
“This agreement confirms Sky-Watch’s ability to deploy critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities for missions in demanding operational environments,” says Martin Schousboe, CEO of Sky-Watch A/S. “The fact that the selection was made through an open competition against leading American and European companies reinforces our credibility, as well as our ability to deliver complex contracts end-to-end, from delivery and integration to long-term technical support.”

Strengthening European defense capabilities
This agreement is part of a broader trend observed across NATO countries: increased reliance on systems proven in the field rather than solutions based solely on technical specifications, strengthened resilience in contested operational theaters, and consolidation of European defense industrial capabilities.

Sky-Watch will ensure full execution of the program, including delivery, field deployment, training, and long-term support, in order to guarantee the operational readiness of the drones for the Dutch armed forces.

Sky-Watch RQ-35 Heidrun drone

Key characteristics:

• Wingspan: ~2.8 m
• Fuselage length: ~1.1 m (order of magnitude)
• Category: hand-launched mini ISR drone
• Flight endurance: approximately 150 minutes
• Operational range: up to ~45–50 km depending on configuration and antenna
• Takeoff weight: ~3 kg
• EW / GNSS resilience: capable of operating in GPS-jammed (GNSS-denied) environments
• Sensors: Electro-Optical (EO) cameras and optional EO/IR (InfraRed) with advanced zoom
• Navigation: autonomous or semi-autonomous with mission planning
• Data link: encrypted transmission, resilient to interference
• Deployment: rapid, operable by a single user

Key technical points:

• Optimized for environments without reliable GPS and under heavy jamming
• Designed to provide real-time Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) data
• Software architecture enabling updates and improvements without hardware replacement
• Used in real operational conditions, including conflict zones

About Sky-Watch A/S
Sky-Watch A/S is a European defense technology company that contributes to maintaining a high level of operational readiness at the tactical edge through intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities based on combat-proven drones. Its flagship system, the RQ-35 Heidrun, provides directly actionable intelligence in situations where speed of decision is critical. It is designed to ensure interoperability with NATO and allied systems.

About AIRO Group Holdings, Inc.
AIRO Group Holdings is a next-generation aerospace and defense platform driving innovation in both defense and civilian markets. Based in McLean, Virginia, and present in the United States, Canada, and Denmark, AIRO combines global reach with deep technical expertise. Through a vertically integrated model, the group delivers solutions designed for the most sensitive missions, built around its drone platforms and supported by advanced technologies, integrated training capabilities, and systems featuring autonomous functions.

Source: Sky-Watch A/S