A growing threat, a rapidly expanding market
The use of drones in recent conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, has demonstrated their ability to disrupt traditional military strategies. These unmanned aerial systems, capable of reconnaissance, offensive strikes, and electronic warfare, pose an unprecedented challenge to conventional armed forces. Their autonomy and low cost make them particularly formidable, enabling massive, coordinated attacks at a fraction of the price of existing defense systems.
In response to this shifting landscape, the market for Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) is experiencing exponential growth. Estimated to be worth several billion euros, it is attracting both major defense contractors and cutting-edge technology startups. The challenge is critical: developing systems capable of detecting, classifying, and neutralizing these threats in real time with absolute reliability, even in contested environments.
An air-to-air counter-drone system for aerial defense
Alpine Eagle rises to this challenge by developing the world’s first air-to-air counter-drone system, powered by advanced machine learning and computer vision algorithms. Its flagship product, Sentinel-OS, is a modular defense software designed to integrate with various hardware platforms, enabling early detection and precise neutralization of hostile drones.
The solution relies on a combination of active and passive sensors that dynamically adjust their operations based on the threat level. Capable of accurately identifying both individual drones and coordinated swarms, Sentinel-OS ensures an immediate and automated response to airborne incursions. Alpine Eagle is also working on interception technology that will enable a dynamic countermeasure against offensive drones—an essential advancement for military forces facing increasingly sophisticated attacks.
A fast-growing defense tech startup
Founded in 2023 in Munich, Alpine Eagle is emblematic of Europe’s new defense tech wave. The company is led by two seasoned experts with complementary backgrounds:
- Jan-Hendrik Boelens, CEO, previously worked at Airbus, Volocopter, and Quantum Systems, bringing valuable expertise in aviation and autonomous technologies.
- Timo Breuer, Director, has held positions at Microsoft Research and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, contributing deep knowledge in artificial intelligence and software engineering.
In less than two years, Alpine Eagle has secured strategic clients, most notably the Bundeswehr (German military), which is already deploying its technology. The startup generated seven-digit revenues in its first year, a testament to the strength of its offering and the confidence it has earned from defense institutions.
A funding round to drive expansion
Building on its early success, Alpine Eagle has raised €10.25 million in seed funding, in a round led by IQ Capital, with participation from HTGF, Expeditions Fund, and Sentris Capital. Previous investors General Catalyst and HCVC, who backed the company’s pre-seed round, also reinvested. This new capital will enable Alpine Eagle to scale its workforce, targeting a team of over 40 specialized engineers, product developers, and business professionals, while also accelerating its international expansion.
As CEO Jan-Hendrik Boelens emphasizes:
“The pace of aerial warfare evolution has dramatically accelerated. It took nearly 50 years to transition from WWI biplanes to modern fighter jets. Today, in less than five years, drone-on-drone engagements will become a reality.”
With the increasing sophistication of autonomous aerial threats, Europe needs innovative defense solutions more than ever. Alpine Eagle is positioning itself as a key player in safeguarding European airspace, providing armed forces with the tools to reclaim control over an evolving battlefield.
