Dronetag (Czech Republic) – Enabling Secure & Autonomous Drone Airspace

In Europe’s increasingly crowded skies, the ability to identify and manage drones in real time has moved from a regulatory formality to a strategic imperative. Small unmanned aircraft are now ubiquitous across civilian and security domains, raising both opportunities and concerns for European authorities. Dronetag, a Prague-based deep-tech startup, has positioned itself at the forefront of this challenge. Founded by a young engineer while still at university, the company develops IoT-based “digital license plates” for drones – tiny transmitters and receivers that make drones visible to air traffic managers, law enforcement, and defense systems. This unassuming technology addresses a critical gap: ensuring that all drones, whether delivering packages or conducting surveillance, can be identified and tracked under European rules. As EU institutions push for greater strategic autonomy in emerging technologies, Dronetag’s innovation offers a home-grown solution to reduce reliance on foreign drone tech. The following analysis explores how this startup’s remote identification devices and software contribute to a safer European airspace, bolster NATO’s situational awareness, and lay groundwork for more resilient defense capabilities. It uncovers Dronetag’s corporate DNA, its integration into EU and NATO innovation frameworks, and its potential role in diminishing Europe’s dependence on untrusted drone suppliers. The aim is to assess objectively – without hype or rhetoric – whether Dronetag’s technology can become a strategic asset for Europe’s autonomy and security, or remains a niche capability with promise yet to be realized.