Delair
Delair is a French designer and manufacturer of professional fixed-wing and VTOL drones with BVLOS capability, serving defense forces (French Army, Navy, Gendarmerie, Ukrainian Armed Forces) and industrial operators (RTE, SNCF, Orange), with complementary software and a Delair Marine underwater drone business.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersToulouse, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Delair does
Delair is a French designer and manufacturer of professional fixed-wing and VTOL unmanned aerial systems, founded in 2011 in Toulouse by Bastien Mancini. The company builds long-endurance, BVLOS-capable drones (UX11, DT26, DT46, DT61, Hydrone) with swappable payloads including gyro-stabilized dual EO/IR sensors, LiDAR, RGB, and military-band telecommunications, alongside the DRAKO universal ground control station and the Delair Flight Deck, Delair After Flight, and MyDelair software stack. Through the 2023 Notilo Plus acquisition it also operates Delair Marine, adding SEASAM underwater drones for maritime inspection.
The company pursues a dual civil-and-defense strategy. Industrial customers include RTE (power lines), SNCF (railways), and Orange (telecom) for BVLOS linear-infrastructure inspection, while defense customers include the French Army (Damoclès qualification), French Navy (Dragoon Fury exercises), French Gendarmerie (DT46 integration), and the Ukrainian Armed Forces (150 drones delivered). Delair is embedded in European defense programs through KNDS for the Mataris loitering munition family (MX-10 Damocles in service December 2025) and MBDA for the MUTANT XL next-generation loitering munition, with AID (Agence de l'Innovation de Défense) funding the TAMOS swarming and LARINAE programs.
Commercially, Delair generates revenue through one-time hardware sales of capital equipment, recurring subscriptions for Flight Deck and After Flight software, professional services for engineering and training, and a nine-region service center network for support. The company employs 250 people across Toulouse (HQ and manufacturing), Marseille, Grenoble (post-Squadrone System), and Paris in France, plus a Kiev office supporting Ukraine operations. Revenue reached €50M in FY2025, a 61.97% CAGR over 2021-2024, with a Schaeffler Technologies strategic cooperation (June 2026) targeting 100 drones/day production capacity by November 2026.
Delair firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Delair
- Legal name
- DELAIR SAS
- Website
- https://delair.aero
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Delair is a French designer and manufacturer of professional fixed-wing and VTOL drones with BVLOS capability, serving defense forces (French Army, Navy, Gendarmerie, Ukrainian Armed Forces) and industrial operators (RTE, SNCF, Orange), with complementary software and a Delair Marine underwater drone business.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Delair industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial UAVs and Drone Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC), Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG)
Keywords
Where Delair is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toulouse
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices6 records
Markets served
Delair business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Drone Hardware Sales: Sale of professional UAV platforms including UX11, DT26, DT46, DT61 models for mapping, surveillance, and defense applications
- Software Subscriptions: Delair Flight Deck and Delair After Flight software platforms for mission planning and data processing
- Technical Support and Training: Operational support, maintenance services, and training programs through nine regional service centers
- Custom Engineering Services: Technical studies, product development, and drone systems/subsystems development for clients and partners
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Professional mapping drone |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Delair product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Delair designs and manufactures professional fixed-wing and VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for defense, industrial inspection, and geospatial mapping applications. The company offers a portfolio ranging from 1-100kg aerial and underwater drones, complemented by proprietary flight control software (Delair Flight Deck, Delair After Flight) and the DRAKO universal ground control station, serving defense forces, infrastructure operators, and surveyors worldwide.
Product overview
Delair is a French drone manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of professional UAVs for industrial, defense, and geospatial applications. The product line includes fixed-wing mapping drones (UX11), multi-purpose long-endurance platforms (DT26, DT46, DT61), maritime solutions (HYDRONE, SEASAM underwater drone via Delair Marine), and supporting software (Delair Flight Deck, Delair After Flight, MyDelair platform, DRAKO Universal Ground Control Station). The company operates a dual civil-defense strategy, serving sectors including agriculture, construction, utilities, railways, border surveillance, and military operations. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Toulouse, France, Delair holds ISO 9001 certification and Origine France Garantie certification for its aerial observation drones.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- DELAIR MARINE: Maritime business unit offering aerial and underwater drone solutions for naval, civil, and military infrastructure inspection, launched via Notilo Plus acquisition
- SEASAM
- DRAKO
- UX11
- DT26
- DT46
- DT61
- Hydrone
- Delair Flight Deck
- Delair After Flight
- MyDelair
Products and services
- UX11 Professional fixed-wing mapping drone with up to 59 minutes endurance, featuring a 21.4 MP industrial RGB camera with optional IR sensor for thermal imaging. BVLOS-ready with unlimited range via cellular communications, designed for surveying and geospatial professionals.
- DT26E Surveillance High-performance long endurance UAV with gyro-stabilized dual EO/IR sensor for day/night surveillance missions. Supports complex missions with swappable payloads for security and defense applications.
- DT26E Tactical Military band telecommunications UAV with extended range for defense and tactical operations. ITAR-free and adopted by French armed forces.
- DT26E Open Payload Versatile UAV platform with open payload architecture allowing integration of custom sensors and equipment for specialized mission requirements.
- DT46 Leading long-range electrically powered mini drone with silent operation and multi-mission capability. Features convertibility from fixed-wing to VTOL configuration in 15 minutes without tools. ITAR-free and adopted by French Army and Gendarmerie.
- DT46 LiDAR Long-range inspection drone integrated with YellowScan VOYAGER LiDAR sensor for high-precision digital twin creation. World's first fixed-wing UAV for long-distance LiDAR inspections.
- DT61 Very long distance observation drone with VTOL capability, designed for inspection and surveillance of large land and sea areas. Features over 7 hours flight time, 100+ km communication range, and significantly increased payload capacity. Multi-mission drone for civilian and military contexts.
- HYDRONE Maritime-focused aerial drone designed for offshore and maritime operations. Labeled Solar Impulse Efficient Solution for sustainability and efficiency.
- SEASAM Underwater Drone (Delair Marine) Underwater drone for maritime inspection, part of the Delair Marine business unit offering complete maritime environment solutions with both aerial and underwater drones for naval, civil, and military applications.
- DRAKO Universal Ground Control Station Universal ground control station announced at Eurosatory 2024, enabling operators to control multiple heterogeneous drone systems through a single interface regardless of manufacturer.
- Delair Flight Deck Software Flight planning and control software platform for Delair drones, with Pro version available. Supports mission planning, flight execution, and real-time monitoring. Sold on subscription basis.
- Delair After Flight Software Post-flight data processing software for creating maps, point clouds, and 3D models from drone imagery. Supports RINEX base station files for survey-grade accuracy. Sold on subscription basis.
- MyDelair Platform Cloud-based platform for fleet management, data storage, and collaboration across Delair drone operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 314.93% revenue growth from 2021-2024
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Delair
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Delair technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability4 records
Feature5 records
Delair partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Schaeffler TechnologiescoreStrategic cooperation to scale Delair's drone production and strengthen Europe's sovereign UAS capabilities. Partners launching new production line in France capable of delivering 100 units per day by November 2026, manufacturing Damoclès and Aspik Interceptor drones. Combines Schaeffler's manufacturing expertise with Delair's drone design and operational deployment know-how.
- MBDAcoreDevelopment of MUTANT XL, next-generation loitering munition combining advanced missile technology with drone-like control capabilities. Built around man-in-the-loop concept for precision strike missions. Part of AID's LARINAE contract.
- AscendanceminorCollaboration to develop hybrid-electric fixed-wing observation drone demonstrator (DT46 Hybrid) for DGA Missile Testing. Uses Ascendance's STERNA hybrid propulsion technology.
- SQUADRONE SYSTEMcoreAcquisition of Grenoble-based drone manufacturer specializing in drone swarms and industrial inspection. Specializes in multi-copter drones for TAMOS project (AID/DGA), RapidEagle anti-drone project, and civil warehouse/aircraft inspection.
- KNDScoreMataris loitering munitions family developed in partnership with KNDS and EOS Technologie. MX-10 Damocles already in active service with French Army since December 2025. MV-25 Oskar operationally deployed in Ukraine. MT10 for armored vehicles available from mid-2027.
- NOTILO PLUScoreAcquisition extending Delair's offer to maritime environment through Delair Marine business unit. Combines aerial and underwater drones (SEASAM) with sovereign data processing for naval, civil, and military infrastructure inspection.
- EOS TechnologieminorPartnership for medium-range loitering munition development within Mataris family (MV-100 Veloce 330).
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Delair competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wingtra: Swiss VTOL mapping drone manufacturer; competes directly with Delair in surveying, mining, and infrastructure-mapping applications with similar BVLOS-capable fixed-wing VTOL platforms.
- Quantum Systems: German manufacturer of VTOL and fixed-wing electric UAS for defense, mapping, and inspection; one of Europe's most direct competitors in the same fixed-wing/VTOL long-endurance BVLOS segment Delair addresses.
- Parrot: French drone manufacturer with defense and commercial focus. Was an early investor in Delair (2013) and shares a Toulouse/France footprint; competes in professional and mini-UAV segments.
- senseFly (Parrot-owned): Swiss-based fixed-wing mapping drone maker; competes with Delair UX11 in the geospatial/surveying segment with overlapping BVLOS-ready platforms.
Broad incumbents
- KNDS: European defense land systems prime co-developing the Mataris loitering munitions family with Delair; partner-customer relationship, but also a potential competitor as KNDS expands its UAS capabilities.
- Thales: Major French defense and aerospace prime with UAS offerings (including loitering munitions and ISR systems) and broad portfolio across sensors, communications, and mission systems relevant to Delair's defense customer base.
- MBDA: European missile systems prime co-developing the MUTANT XL loitering munition with Delair; competitor in adjacent precision-strike and UAS segments, and a key partnership anchor.
Emerging players
- TEKEVER: Portuguese UAS company focused on defense and security ISR drones; similarly fast-growing European sovereign drone provider competing for the same EU defense and border surveillance budgets.
Others
- YellowScan: French LiDAR sensor provider integrated with Delair's DT46 LiDAR platform; ecosystem partner rather than competitor — included to reflect the adjacent technology/supplier relationship.
Regional players
- UAVISION Engineering: Portuguese tactical mini-UAS manufacturer serving European militaries; competes with Delair in the tactical mini-drone segment with overlapping army/end-user customer profiles.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Delair social profiles
Digital presenceDelair compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Delair financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Delair leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Delair subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Delair funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Delair M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A4 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Delair
What does Delair do?
Delair designs and manufactures professional fixed-wing and VTOL unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for defense, industrial inspection, and geospatial mapping applications. The company offers a portfolio ranging from 1-100kg aerial and underwater drones, complemented by proprietary flight control software (Delair Flight Deck, Delair After Flight) and the DRAKO universal ground control station, serving defense forces, infrastructure operators, and surveyors worldwide.
Is Delair a public or private company?
Delair is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Delair founded?
Delair was founded in 2011. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Delair based?
Delair is headquartered in Toulouse, France, in the Europe region.
How does Delair make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Drone Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Subscriptions, technical Support and Training and custom Engineering Services.
Who are Delair's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wingtra, Quantum Systems, Parrot and senseFly (Parrot-owned). Broad incumbents are KNDS, Thales and MBDA. TEKEVER is listed as an emerging player. YellowScan is listed as an others. UAVISION Engineering is listed as a regional player.
Does Delair have an API?
No public API is recorded for Delair.
What industry is Delair in?
Delair's product category is Commercial UAVs and Drone Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAB, Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV), with a secondary code of IMABAIAC, VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.