Granta Autonomy
Vilnius-based defense-tech firm building autonomous ISR mini-UAVs, loitering munitions, and micro-gimbals for NATO and Ukrainian forces.
Background
Granta Autonomy was founded by Gediminas Guoba and Laurynas Litvinas in Vilnius, Lithuania, with roots in software development that shifted toward unmanned systems following Russia's 2014 incursion into Ukraine.
Guoba serves as CEO. The company reoriented fully into defense-grade autonomous drones after the 2022 full-scale invasion accelerated Baltic demand.
The core product line comprises four named systems: the Hornet XR, a hand-launched, fully autonomous mini-UAV optimized for covert ISTAR; the X-WING, a hybrid VTOL loitering munition designed as a strike complement to the Hornet XR sensor platform; the Hornet DDL datalink-enabled UAV variant; and the GS-214X and GS-218X lightweight stabilized micro-gimbals for contested-environment ISR payloads. Granta also supplies datalink software and integrated UAS components.
The company goes to market through direct MoD sales, NATO supply channels via NSPA, and a 2025 integration partnership with Rheinmetall Electronics embedding its UAVs into military ground vehicles.
Production and headcount tripled between 2024 and mid-2025, though no absolute employee figure has been disclosed publicly.
Financial footing
- €1M Seed (2024)
- NSPA supplier
- Lithuanian MoD FPV order
- Backers: ScaleWolf VC, Brolis Defence, HFL Holdings
Granta Autonomy closed a €1 million seed round in July 2024, led by ScaleWolf VC with participation from Brolis Defence and HFL Holdings. Total publicly disclosed funding stands at €1 million. No post-money valuation was disclosed in connection with the seed round, and no subsequent funding round has been publicly announced. The company is privately held.
No revenue figures, backlog numbers, or EBITDA disclosures have been made public. The NSPA supplier listing and Lithuanian MoD orders represent government-contract revenue streams, but no contract ceiling values or award totals have been disclosed. Ownership structure remains private with ScaleWolf VC, Brolis Defence, and HFL Holdings as named institutional investors.
Major customers & contracts
The Lithuanian Armed Forces issued a requirement for approximately 50 mini-UAVs as of June 2024, with some units procured for trials. The Ukrainian Army operates a battery of Granta Autonomy UAVs, deliveries of which were funded by the Lithuanian MoD and other European defense ministries; as of June 2024 the CEO confirmed a two-digit number of UAVs deployed in Ukraine, with a target of three-digit deliveries by end-2024.
A 2025 source claims systems reached dozens of Ukrainian brigades, though this figure is less directly verified than the June 2024 Eurosatory-era reporting. Granta holds NSPA supplier status, enabling direct procurement by NATO member nations. A strategic integration collaboration with Rheinmetall Electronics was announced in 2025, embedding Granta UAVs into military vehicle platforms, though no contract value has been disclosed.
Leadership & contact surface
Leadership: Gediminas Guoba
Official site: https://grantaautonomy.com
Competitive position
Granta Autonomy competes directly with Quantum Systems (Germany), whose Vector fixed-wing ISR UAV targets the same NATO mini-UAV segment; Granta's edge is Baltic/frontline credibility and a combat-proven Ukraine track record, while Quantum holds deeper Bundeswehr and institutional NATO relationships. Against WB Group (Poland) and its FlyEye system, Granta is lighter and more modular but lacks WB's established multi-decade MoD supply chain across Central Europe.
Versus Baykar (Turkey) at the loitering-munition layer, Granta's X-WING is a fraction of the cost and footprint but operates at a tactically narrower engagement envelope. Against Estonian firm Frankenburg Technologies and other Baltic micro-UAV entrants, Granta holds a first-mover advantage in the Lithuanian MoD relationship and NSPA listing. The market structure is fragmented, with European defense ministries actively dual-sourcing to reduce dependence on any single vendor, which benefits smaller specialists like Granta but also limits contract concentration.
Battlefield relevance
Granta Autonomy began supplying UAVs to Ukrainian forces following Russia's February 2022 invasion. By June 2024, CEO Gediminas Guoba confirmed a two-digit number of Hornet XR systems were operating on Ukraine's front lines, with deliveries funded by the Lithuanian MoD and other European defense ministries.
The CEO stated at that time that deployments were expected to reach three digits by end-2024. A 2025 report claims systems were distributed across dozens of Ukrainian brigades with cumulative deliveries in the thousands, though this claim is less directly verified. Company personnel personally conducted front-line testing in Ukraine prior to serial deliveries.
Sources & verification
- https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/lithuanian-drone-startup-granta-autonomy-emerges-from-stealth-with-1m-seed-funding-round-302193492.html
- https://www.facebook.com/startuplithuania/posts/congratulations-granta-autonomy-we-are-thrilled-to-announce-that-vilnius-based-g/897854172386359/
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/embassy-of-lithuania-to-ukraine_defenseindustry-ukraine-activity-7460233365451907072-yQ8g
- https://www.cbinsights.com/company/granta-autonomy
- https://www.defencefinancemonitor.com/p/strategic-technological-analysis-054
- https://grantaautonomy.com
- https://euro-sd.com/2024/06/major-news/38941/granta-autonomy-mini-uavs/
- https://ukrainesarmsmonitor.substack.com/p/how-drone-testing-works-in-ukraine