Ratel Robotics, the Ukrainian ground-robot maker Swarmer agreed to buy, reported preliminary quarterly revenue of $32.5 million. Shareholders have approved the share issuance and closing is expected in November.
Ukraine now downs about three in four of Russia's jet-powered Gerans. One of four aimed at Dnipro on Thursday hit a crowded station platform. The cheap interceptors meant to shrink that remainder are priced, but not due before this winter is over.
Swarmer, a swarm-autonomy software company, is buying the airframes and firing electronics its code runs on, days before shareholders vote on its first Ukrainian hardware deal.
Ukraine's 500-company drone industry has its first large consolidation, and the buyer is an autonomy software firm that needs hardware for its code to run on.
Ground robots are replacing soldiers on exposed routes and assault missions, but Ukraine must now standardize the machines it rushed into combat.