The debt financing follows a €300 million venture capital raise in 2025, valuing the company at €3 billion.
German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems has secured a €150 million financing package backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and major commercial lenders, marking a shift toward institutional capital supporting Europe’s defence technology sector, the EIB announced in February.
The package includes a €70 million loan from the European Investment Bank, alongside financing from Commerzbank, Deutsche Bank and German development bank KfW, and is aimed at scaling production capacity and accelerating the company’s industrial expansion.
Unlike earlier venture-backed funding rounds, the transaction is primarily debt-based, highlighting how defence startups are beginning to access larger pools of institutional capital as they transition from early-stage development to full-scale manufacturing.
Quantum Systems said the financing would support the expansion of its drone production capabilities across Europe, as demand for unmanned systems continues to rise following their widespread deployment in Ukraine.
The deal reflects a broader policy shift across Europe, where public institutions and lenders are increasingly willing to finance defence-related projects amid rising geopolitical tensions and a reassessment of environmental, social and governance constraints that had previously limited investment in the sector.
Founded in Germany, Quantum Systems develops dual-use aerial intelligence platforms and has emerged as one of Europe’s most prominent defence technology companies, with its systems deployed in both military and civilian applications.
The company has previously raised significant venture capital, including a €160 million round led by Balderton Capital in 2025, followed by an extension later that year that brought total funding to more than €300 million and pushed its valuation above €3 billion.
It also highlights a structural shift in capital markets, with defence technology companies beginning to access institutional debt as they transition from venture-backed growth to industrial-scale production, supported by rising defence spending and demand for autonomous systems.