Harmattan AI, a nascent French defense technology firm, and the Ukrainian unmanned aircraft developer Skyeton have announced a strategic partnership aimed at integrating advanced sensor systems into Skyeton’s Raybird unmanned aerial platform. According to Harmattan AI, the collaboration is poised to accelerate adoption of Raybird in global markets, combining technical assets from both sides.
Skyeton brings to the partnership its Raybird series of unmanned aerial systems, which reportedly have accumulated over 350,000 operational flight hours in defense missions. Harmattan AI contributes its AI-driven sensor portfolio and European production capabilities. Together, the two aim to deliver mission-capable, intelligent systems tailored for allied forces.
Pavlo Shevchuk, International CEO at Skyeton, noted that this initiative reflects a commitment to strengthen defense ties with trusted partners, citing France as a key market in NATO. Meanwhile, Mouad M’Ghari, CEO and co-founder of Harmattan AI, emphasized that combining autonomous sensors with a mature UAS platform will help field actionable intelligence “where and when it matters.”
The partnership is expected to upgrade Raybird’s adaptability, endurance, and operational readiness by embedding Harmattan AI’s systems. The Raybird already supports roles from deep recon to border surveillance and disaster response, and integrating enhanced sensing capabilities may broaden its usefulness.
In addition, the alliance carries symbolic weight for European defense. Harmattan AI and Skyeton plan to position themselves within NATO supply chains and reinforce collective security infrastructures. The move underscores a trend toward blending Eastern European aerospace expertise with Western sensor and industrial capacities.
Harmattan AI was founded in April 2024 and positions itself as a “next-generation defense prime” developing scalable, autonomous systems for allied nations. Skyeton, meanwhile, is an established Ukrainian drone manufacturer whose Raybird platform offers long endurance (28+ hours reported) and integrates modular payloads, ground control, and launch systems.
