Gallium Defense
A Paris startup developing GDS-10, a counter-drone radar designed for volume manufacturing using commercial components.
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Podcast Episode
🎙️ Deep Dive
Hypersonica, Gallium Defense, Creandum — €100M for missiles, counter-drone radar and a $750M fund — Daily News November 2, 2026
Listen to the episodeAbout Gallium Defense
Founded in Paris in April 2026 by Eric Fournier (CEO, former partner in BCG’s defence practice), Florian Lemoine (CTO, former armament engineer at France’s DGA) and Robin Mandel (COO, former Thales executive), Gallium Defense develops GDS-10, an X-band AESA radar with a software-defined architecture and AI models running on embedded GPUs. According to its investor, the radar detects class 1 and FPV drones up to 10 km, covers 360° in azimuth and 90° in elevation and tracks several drones at once, including swarms; it uses commercial components where possible and is designed for volume manufacturing, in versions for critical-infrastructure operators and armed forces. On November 2, 2026 it emerged from stealth with a €7.1 million seed round led by Keen Venture Partners and 360 Capital, with Omnes Capital and Polytechnique Ventures, to industrialise production, grow the team, train its models and run demonstrations. Orders will open in the first quarter of 2027; performance and cost are not yet validated in the field.
The Story
Founded in April 2026 by three executives with experience at BCG, the DGA, Thales and Safran.
How Gallium Defense works
Business Model
Sales of radar and related services to armed forces and critical-infrastructure operators; pricing and contracts undisclosed.
Products & Services
Key Products
- GDS-10
Core Use Cases
- Detection of small drones and swarms
- Critical-infrastructure protection
- Surveillance for armed forces
Market & Clients
Key Customers
Armed forces and critical-infrastructure operators; no customer announced.
Geographic Presence
How Gallium Defense competes
Competitive Advantages
- Software-defined architecture
- Design for volume manufacturing
- Use of commercial components
How Gallium Defense grows
Growth Strategy
Industrialise GDS-10, run monthly demonstrations and open orders in the first quarter of 2027.
Distribution Model
Direct sales and demonstrations to civil and military customers.
Moat (Defensibility)
Integration of AESA radar, embedded computing and updatable software models.
Regulatory Context
Defence procurement, export controls and critical-infrastructure security requirements.
Key Risks
- Performance not independently validated
- No disclosed revenue
- Defence procurement
- Reliability in real-world conditions
Strategic Insights
- Commercial components and software may reduce cost and manufacturing time.
- Compatibility with NATO standards and existing systems will be decisive for adoption.
Funding & Investors
Total Funding
Funding Rounds
- 2026 - Seed: €7,1M
Lead: Keen Venture Partners, 360 Capital
Key Investors
Founding Team
Founders
Key Metrics
Lessons from Gallium Defense
- In dual-use markets, field performance and manufacturability matter as much as technical architecture.
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Read AnalysisSources
- Why we invested in Gallium Defense — Keen Venture Partners
- Paris-based Gallium Defense emerges from stealth with €7.1 million — EU-Startups