Swarmer acquires Ukrainian drone maker Vataga’s IP and hires its team

Ukrainian-American drone swarm software developer Swarmer is acquiring part of the intellectual property of Ukrainian UAV manufacturer Vataga Drone. Swarmer will obtain rights to the company’s portfolio, including FPV drone airframe designs, initiation boards, ground control stations, development tooling and production documentation.

The deal includes cash and shares. Once the agreement is signed, Vataga CEO Maksym Melnyk and 14 R&D team members will join Swarmer’s staff. Meanwhile, Vataga Drone will continue operating as an independent manufacturing company.

The Swarmer share price has been gradually falling since September and currently stands at $9.53 per share.

Vataga Drone was founded in 2023. According to the press release, its initiation boards have been supplied for use in more than 100,000 Ukrainian drones, and its own FPV drone Peacemaker has been fielded with more than 20 Ukrainian military units. The company’s website also mentions the interceptor drone Kvach and the bomber drone Krab.

In addition, the manufacturer’s range includes a 13-inch FPV drone that uses Swarmer software. This UAV works with the Fire Raid mission template, which allows copters to fly autonomously to a selected area.

This acquisition is Swarmer’s next after its takeover of Ukrainian UGV and UAV manufacturer Ratel Robotics. That deal was valued at $224m. At the time, Erik Prince, who serves as non-executive chairman of Swarmer’s board of directors, stated that the company wants to continue buying technology companies whose products have been battle-tested.