In a move that underscores Europe’s push for homegrown AI in aerospace and defense, Destinus Group BV has finalized its acquisition of Zürich-based Daedalean AG in a CHF 180 million ($225 million) deal. Daedalean, known for its cutting-edge AI systems for aviation, will now serve as Destinus’ central hub for AI engineering, autonomy research, and advanced perception technologies.
Daedalean’s team and technology will continue shaping AI for civilian aviation, including safety-critical autonomy, pilot assistance, and next-generation navigation systems. But the integration into Destinus opens the door to rapid deployment in defense-focused applications—think GNSS-denied navigation for contested environments, advanced perception systems for interceptors and cruise missiles, and autonomous decision-making for high-speed platforms. Swarming, multi-agent coordination, and sensor-fused AI for resilient battlefield operations are also now within Destinus’ reach.
The acquisition positions Destinus as a stronger contender in Europe’s sovereign AI landscape, combining a vertically integrated defense production model with advanced autonomous systems. The deal is part of a broader trend: European aerospace and defense companies increasingly seek in-house AI expertise to reduce reliance on foreign technology and accelerate autonomous systems development.
Leadership shifts accompany the acquisition. Bas Gouverneur, formerly Daedalean CEO, takes on the role of Chief Military Program Officer, overseeing military AI programs and autonomy strategy. Yvonne Gross, previously VP of Finance & Operations at Daedalean, joins as Director of Operations and Infrastructure to manage industrial scale-up and cross-site coordination. Additionally, Brontë Hamilton joins as Destinus’ new Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy during a period of rapid expansion.
Mikhail Kokorich, Destinus Founder and CEO, commented: “Daedalean brings exceptional engineering talent and world-class expertise in safety-critical AI. Together, we will accelerate next-generation autonomous systems for both defense and civil aviation.”
With this acquisition, Destinus strengthens Europe’s competitive edge in AI-powered aerospace, positioning itself against global players in autonomous defense and pushing forward the modernization of civil aviation systems.
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