Prague, 5 May 2025 – Five years of effort have paid off. In March this year, Primoco UAV became the world’s only manufacturer of medium weight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to successfully complete certification under the NATO STANAG 4703 standard. The company also holds the EASA LUC 2.5 SAIL III civil authorization, allowing operations over densely populated areas. With these certifications, the Czech manufacturer has gained a significant competitive edge—its UAVs can now be deployed directly in military and civilian missions without the need for additional permits or testing. Management expects this milestone to positively impact the company’s performance in upcoming periods.
“The process of integrating a medium-weight UAV into the arsenal of an army, or into the operations of police, firefighters, rescue services, or private aerial work providers, typically takes one to two years,” explains CEO Ladislav Semetkovský. “It’s not just about selecting the right aircraft configuration and sensor equipment, but also about obtaining approvals from national aviation authorities. Thanks to our globally recognized certifications, this requirement is now virtually eliminated, making us the only company in our class worldwide to offer this level of readiness.”
Although Primoco UAV did not generate revenue from UAV sales in the first quarter of 2025, a shift is expected in the next period, according to Semetkovský. “Over the past three years, Primoco UAV has sold 81 aircraft for a total of CZK 1.14 billion, achieving an EBITDA of CZK 457 million and a 40% margin. That’s an outstanding result in this category of unmanned aviation globally - and that was achieved without certification. Aviation is a conservative industry that requires long-term trust between customer and manufacturer. We are challenging decades-old norms by replacing or supplementing manned aircraft with drones. That doesn’t happen in a quarter or even a year. We've been on this path for ten years, and I can humbly say the goal is now in sight - even if we are still just at the beginning, despite our strong financial performance in recent years. The potential of unmanned aviation is immense,” he adds.
In the first quarter, Primoco UAV also continued modernizing its private airport in Písek–Krašovice. The original facilities will be replaced with modern buildings that will eventually house Europe’s first certified training center for UAV pilots and operators. Additionally, a new manufacturing and service centre - capable of producing up to 300 UAVs per year - is planned for construction in a nearby industrial zone by 2028.
