Cerbair: European Counter-Drone Systems for Defense and Security
Cerbair is a pioneering French scale-up specializing in counter-drone technology – a critical but often under-the-radar segment of the defense tech industry. Founded in 2015 out of the X–HEC entrepreneurial incubator, this company has quickly grown into a European reference point for anti-drone systems[1]. Its mission is straightforward yet ambitious: to protect sensitive airspaces from the growing menace of rogue drones. From military bases and prisons to airports and VIP events, Cerbair’s radio-frequency (RF) detection and electronic countermeasure solutions have been quietly stepping up to safeguard Europe’s skies. The allure of Cerbair lies not in flashy marketing but in its proven field record – French armed forces and security agencies already count on its “made-in-Europe” technology to neutralize drone intrusions. For observers of Europe’s strategic autonomy in defense, Cerbair offers an intriguing case study: a homegrown startup that, in less than a decade, has challenged foreign dominance in the counter-UAS arena and become an integral part of Europe’s defense tech ecosystem. It’s a story of innovation meeting urgency, as Cerbair positions itself to fill a crucial gap in Europe’s security architecture at a time when unmanned threats are proliferating. This introduction sets the stage for a deep dive into how Cerbair’s strategy, technology, and partnerships are reinforcing European sovereignty and NATO readiness in the drone age.