GKN Aerospace wins £12m contract to develop flexible drone for Sweden by 2027
November 27, 2025
The British multinational company, GKN Aerospace, announced it has been awarded a contract by Sweden to build a new flexible drone platform by 2027. GKN claims Fokker’s heritage by absorbing much of the company after its bankruptcy.
GKN to build agile drone platform for Sweden
In a news release, GKN Aerospace stated it has reached an agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to “develop a clean sheet uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrator, including a dedicated turbojet engine, within 18 months.”
GKN is describing the contact as a “collaborative programme” with Sweden that aims to explore potential new low-cost capabilities for the Swedish military.
GKN says the drone will be designed to foster innovation in both technology and ways of working. It will emphasise agile decision-making, customer inclusion, and continuous learning. It is to be a flexible platform that can be adapted to fill a wide range of mission profiles.
With emphasis on adaptability, the final capability priorities will be defined by the end customer to “ensure the system meets evolving operational needs.” Details of the drone were not given, although the rendering resembles a vehicle more like that of a smart cruise missile.
📢 News Release: @GKNAero awarded £12M contract by Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to develop a clean-sheet UAV demonstrator + engine in 18 months.
— GKN Aerospace (@GKNAero) November 26, 2025
Strengthening innovation & Sweden’s defence ecosystem. https://t.co/eivOcLzoy8#UAV #Aerospace #DefenceInnovation pic.twitter.com/3e5RDU9SPQ
GKN Aerospace says the drone will incorporate structures and propulsion technologies from Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK. Programme leadership and the engine development will take place in Sweden, while the airframe development will be done in the Netherlands.
Work on the new drone platform has already begun
The contract is valued at £12 million ($16 million), with GKN saying it builds on the company’s “position as a trusted partner in Sweden’s national defence ecosystem.” The programme will include ground demonstrations of its turbojet engine, fuselage, and onboard systems, followed by flying demonstrations to test its overall performance.
GKN Aerospace’s English news release was longer and more informative than its Swedish counterpart, although the Swedish version added that the project has already begun.
GKN is a major components manufacturer that doesn’t produce aircraft, but has a part to play in almost all major aircraft being produced today. That said, one of its lineages includes GKN Fokker, which was fully integrated in 2015.
@GKNAero accelerates additive fabrication in U.S.
— GKN Aerospace (@GKNAero) September 4, 2025
New additive fabrication line in Newington, CT will produce Fan Case Mount Ring for P&W GTF engines.
✅ Supports full serial production by Q4
✅ Creates new jobs, strengthens US footprint
More here:: be https://t.co/VFSv3y8BbV pic.twitter.com/G4wFCaWxQa
GKN currently produces aerostructures, structural components, landing gear (e.g., for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian), turbine housings, rocket nozzles, and other specialised components.
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GKN Aerospace: A company with DNA in most aerospace engines
While Sweden is a comparatively small country of only around eight million people, it boasts a large and advanced aerospace sector. Most notably, Saab produces the JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet, and is currently investigating options for a next-generation replacement.
The Gripen’s engine is the Volvo RM12 (a licenced variant of the GE F404), and this is to be replaced by the Volvo RM16 (GE F414). GKN Aerospace is responsible for maintaining both of these engines. While the Gripen is a Swedish fighter jet, in the order of 40% of its components are US-sourced, and around 30% of it is British intellectual property.
GNK claims to have 32 manufacturing locations in 12 countries. It claims to serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers, meaning that there is GNK DNA in most aircraft flying today. It says “GKN Aerospace is uniquely positioned for next-generation platforms.”
Day 2 at @DSEI_events! Visit us at Stand S2_118 – let’s shape the future of defence together.#DYK we’re the OEM of the RM12 engine powering the SAAB Gripen? As part of NHIndustries with Airbus & Leonardo, we build the NH90. Plus we're a key supplier to F-35, Apache & many more. pic.twitter.com/8PmhOZt9Qa
— GKN Aerospace (@GKNAero) September 10, 2025
Another major aspect of GNK’s business is aircraft structures. It claims that, “it has embedded customer positions on all today’s major aircraft.” Its components are found in everything from the F-35 Lightning II to Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft.
Featured Image: GNK Aerospace
