Orqa is an FPV drone manufacturer founded in 2018 by three FPV drone racing hobbyists in Croatia. The company has scaled since then, producing 280,000 drones per year with €24m+ in annual revenue, as well as pivoting to become one of the most important European defence-tech companies. Their FPV technology is combat tested in Ukraine, and has been used since early in the war, particularly their ‘Squall’ drone.
Earlier this year, Orqa announced a partnership with US based Firestorm Labs, a company which produces ‘xCell Factories’, shipping containers converted into factories which allow drone components to be produced using 3D printers whilst on the move. In August of 2026, these xCell factories were used to produce 12 Squall drones aboard USS Essex mid-transit to Hawaii. They were then flown in a military exercise during RIMPAC 2026. The collaboration demonstrates the importance of European drone manufacturers, and the credibility that Ukrainian expertise and testing introduces.
(Orqa Unmanned Aerial Vehicles – Photo: Orqa)
However, considering changes in American foreign policy, and Firestorm producing xCells for use in the Indo-Pacific theatre, should Europe be allowing the export of knowledge and expertise so freely?
‘Battle tested in Ukraine’ is not just a tagline for drone manufacturers to place on products. It means that testing has been paid for in blood. For Orqa to increase production and for the US to show interest, Ukrainian soldiers had to take the ultimate risk and in many cases make the ultimate sacrifice. In this case we have hard earned European knowledge flowing one way, and shrinking US commitments to protection flowing the other. We are exporting something invaluable and in return being told that we have little to offer, that the era of US security guarantees is over.
Where Europe goes from here is unclear. A Croatian drone, assembled on a US warship, and flown in an exercise aimed at establishing control in the Indo-Pacific, all while the war in Ukraine rages on with dwindling support from the States. For America to run this exercise, they didn’t have to shoulder the risk, or learn what the Ukrainians had to, so should Europe really consider this a fair trade?
Sources:
The Vantage Report 
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