Destinus to Acquire AI Leader Daedalean for $225 Million
Destinus Group BV, a European developer of flight systems, has announced a binding agreement to acquire Zurich-based Daedalean AG for CHF 180 million (approximately USD 225 million). The deal includes both cash and stock and is expected to close by the end of 2025.
Daedalean, founded in 2016, is known for building certifiable AI software for aviation. Its products provide AI-assisted piloting, environmental awareness, and navigation in environments where GPS is unavailable. The acquisition brings Daedalean’s technology and team into Destinus’ ecosystem to support the development of next-generation unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Boosting AI Capabilities for Autonomy in Civil and Defense Sectors
Destinus said the acquisition aligns with its long-term strategy to expand AI-based solutions for unmanned systems. The company aims to serve both civil and defense markets, where AI autonomy and swarm capabilities are becoming critical.
“This acquisition strengthens our technological position by adding world-class AI expertise and deep-learning specialists,” said Tim Moser, Co-founder and CTO of Destinus. “Integrating Daedalean’s innovative solutions and exceptional team will accelerate our strategy to develop, certify, and launch intelligent UAV systems for defense and civil markets.”
Daedalean CEO Bas Gouverneur added, “Joining Destinus is a logical next step after our successful collaboration. Together, we’ll deliver innovative AI-driven autonomy, swarm intelligence, and sophisticated decision-making tools to market faster, making flight safer, more resilient, and operationally flexible.”
The integration will bring over 150 Daedalean staff—including 13 PhDs with deep AI, machine learning, and avionics expertise—into the Destinus organization. Their technology will enhance decision-making tools for drone operators and autonomous systems, especially in high-stakes missions.
Daedalean’s Growing Focus on Defense Autonomy
Daedalean’s move toward defense applications has accelerated in recent months. In a recent public announcement, the company signaled a strategic pivot toward defense and autonomous markets, citing the need for resilient technologies that can operate without human input in dynamic environments. This deal with Destinus aligns with that shift, further confirming the company’s commitment to supporting the defense sector.
The announcement also highlights a broader trend in the drone and uncrewed systems industry. 2025 has seen a wave of new investment and mergers driven by global defense spending and sweeping legislative reforms. The Destinus-Daedalean deal is one of the latest examples of strategic M&A activity aimed at accelerating the development of autonomous technologies.
Combining Strengths for Faster Innovation
The two companies have worked together previously, laying the groundwork for this merger. Destinus brings aerospace manufacturing expertise, while Daedalean offers advanced AI and software development capabilities. By joining forces, they expect to reduce time-to-market for new products, increase innovation speed, and improve competitiveness worldwide.
The combined efforts will help develop UAV systems capable of operating with greater independence, flexibility, and safety in both commercial and military settings. These capabilities are becoming essential as demand grows for systems that can adapt to complex airspace and mission needs.
Rothschild & Co is acting as financial advisor to Destinus. Legal counsel is being provided by Hogan Lovells (Amsterdam) and Walder Wyss (Zurich).
About Destinus
Founded in 2021, Destinus develops flight systems for civil and defense use. With more than 500 employees, it is one of Europe’s largest UAV manufacturers. The company is headquartered in the Netherlands and has operations in Germany, Switzerland, France, the UK, Spain, and Ukraine.
About Daedalean
Daedalean is a Swiss-based company developing certifiable AI software for avionics. Its founders come from Google and SpaceX. The company builds systems to assist pilots and autonomous flight operations, including in GPS-denied environments. It currently employs more than 150 people.
