Mercedes-Benz partners with Tytan to develop mobile drone‑defense vehicles

Mercedes‑Benz announced a cooperation with the German start‑up Tytan Technologies to create a mobile drone‑defence system called “Drone Defender”. The programme will use Mercedes’ Sprinter van and a militarised G‑Class SUV as chassis for the system, which will carry Tytan’s intercept‑drone launchers and sensors. Production of the system is planned to start before the end of the year, with the aim of offering a cheaper and faster‑to‑field solution than larger, more complex platforms.

The partnership was formalised by a letter of intent signed at the ILA Berlin airshow. Mercedes‑CEO Ola Källenius said Europe must strengthen its defence posture and that the company would consider expanding its defence business where “economically sensible”. Tytan’s autonomous intercept drones, with a range of up to 40 km, are already in use by the German Bundeswehr and Ukraine. German authorities have warned of increasing drone threats to airports, critical infrastructure and military sites, prompting the move into drone‑defence.

In parallel, Mercedes has secured a separate €1 billion contract with Lithuania to supply G‑Class vehicles and other military trucks, underscoring the German automaker’s growing role in European defence procurement.