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Croatian Drone Maker Orqa Wins $38M Pentagon Contract

October 15, 2026

1 min read

Key Takeaways

Orqa wins $38 million Pentagon contract for drone supply.
Contract follows success in Drone Dominance Gauntlet II competition.
Orqa to supply indoor-capable drones and ground control systems.
Production will take place in the US, not Croatia.

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Strategic Implications

This contract may signal a shift in the Pentagon's procurement strategy towards smaller, agile manufacturers. Orqa's success suggests that Central and Eastern European companies could play a significant role in the US defence industry, potentially disrupting traditional supply chains and indicating a growing interest in non-traditional defence partners.

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What Happened

Eastern European Company Enters Major US Defence Procurement

Croatian drone manufacturer Orqa has secured a $38 million contract to supply the US military with its drones and ground control systems. The contract follows Orqa’s success in the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Gauntlet II competition, where it finished second in the close-quarters battle category. Orqa’s drones will be manufactured in the US, in partnership with American defence contractor By Light. This development was first reported by Hungarian Conservative.

Source | Originally Published: December 8, 2025

Companies Mentioned