Denmark joins forces with Ukraine to build AI-driven anti-drone shield

Denmark’s Terma Group, widely recognised in Ukraine for supplying specialised pylons for F-16 fighter jets and a major European supplier for the fifth-generation F-35 program, has launched a strategic partnership with Ukrainian tech company Odd Systems.

The joint initiative aims to create a cost-effective, artificial intelligence-driven air defence system capable of intercepting hostile drones.

According to Defense Express, Odd Systems, known for its development of Kurbas thermal imaging cameras, confirmed the partnership and outlined plans for a drone interception system based on its existing unmanned platforms. 

Terma, whose PIDS+ and ECIPS+ pylons are already in service with Ukraine’s Air Force, will contribute advanced sensor technology and situational awareness systems to the collaboration.

While Odd Systems has not released detailed specifications of the project, Terma emphasised that the partnership “combines the best of Western defence engineering with Ukrainian military innovation.” The intended result is a modular and scalable interception system that can detect, track, and autonomously neutralise a variety of airborne threats — including FPV kamikaze drones, Mavic-style quadcopters, reconnaissance UAVs, and longer-range platforms.

Though often associated with aircraft pylons, Terma’s operations span much further. The company is a prominent systems integrator and radar manufacturer, delivering ground- and naval-based detection systems, avionics, and over 80 essential components for the F-35 program, including fuselage parts and radar subsystems.

As Terma joins the Ukrainian initiative, it has already begun recruiting engineers and technical experts specifically for this project. The emphasis is not on delivering a ready-made product, but on co-developing an advanced solution that integrates detection and interception into a cohesive system.

The Ukrainian side hinted that Odd Systems’ existing platforms, particularly the Horska-12 FPV aerial interceptor, will likely serve as the effectors—or physical interceptors—in the future system. Terma’s expertise is expected to play a vital role in radar detection and target acquisition technologies.

While it’s too early to predict the system’s final configuration, the integrated approach—combining sensors, data processing, and interceptors—marks a serious step toward autonomous drone defence.

The Defense Express also recalled its previous discussions with a co-founder of Odd Systems (who also runs The Fourth Law, a firm specialising in low-cost machine vision for military use) about the technical complexity of autonomous interception. The consensus was that early versions will require guidance and correction systems to be fully effective.

By Tamilla Hasanova