MBDA has made a second investment in Hybrid Drones Limited as the two companies work to develop the HYDRA-400 uncrewed aircraft for military missions.
The missile maker joined the UK drone company’s latest funding round, maintaining its existing ownership stake after making an initial investment in 2025.
Beyond financing, MBDA is providing Hybrid Drones with technical, engineering, commercial, legal, and financial expertise as the smaller company works to expand in the defense market.
Their partnership also includes plans to weaponize the HYDRA-400, which completed its first flight in March 2026.
Designed with a modular architecture, the aircraft can carry payloads of up to 400 kilograms (882 pounds) and operate in fully electric or hybrid configurations using two, four, or six jet engines.
Potential missions include carrying tactical weapons, ship-to-ship transport, last-mile logistics, and casualty evacuation. Its portable design also allows crews to transport the aircraft on a flatbed truck and prepare it for flight within minutes, according to MBDA.
“Sustaining MBDA’s investment in Hybrid Drones Limited is a clear vote of confidence in the way this partnership is developing,” Suzanne Jude, senior vice president for sales and business development at MBDA, said.
Drone Companies Attract More Funding
MBDA’s follow-on funding comes as drone companies continue to attract investments.
In June, Lithuanian firm PDKINEMATICS secured 2 million euros ($2.2 million) to scale production and deployment of its precision guidance systems for drone operators in Europe and Ukraine.
In May, Booz Allen Hamilton announced a strategic investment in PDW, an Alabama-based manufacturer of unmanned aircraft for defense and public safety. The companies aim to combine Booz Allen’s work in AI and autonomy with PDW’s domestically produced drones.
Earlier, in April, Jetstream Venture Fund announced that it is investing in Shield AI as part of its Future of Air and Space strategy, which focuses on next-generation autonomous technologies across the defense and aerospace sectors.
