Greenjets Raises $40M Series A with NATO Backing to Transform Drone Propulsion

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-17

Greenjets, a London-based aerospace company that builds propulsion systems, aircraft platforms, and launch tech for next-gen aviation, just announced a $40 million Series A funding round. That's about €35 million for those keeping score across the pond. ### Who's Backing This? The round was led by Blossom Capital, with big names like the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF) and the UK's National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) joining in. Existing investors Tanglin Ventures and NSFO Family Office also chipped in. When NATO's own investment arm gets involved, you know this isn't your run-of-the-mill startup story. ### Why Now? The Ukraine Conflict Changed Everything Anmol Manohar (CEO) and Dr. Guido Monterzino (CTO) put it bluntly: "When we founded Greenjets, our ambition was to shape the future of aviation. The conflict in Ukraine showed us just how critical those same technologies are for protecting lives and strengthening Europe's resilience." They're not wrong. The war has turned drones into the defining weapon of modern conflict, and Europe is scrambling for affordable defensive tech that actually works. ### What Makes Greenjets Different? Founded in 2022, Greenjets has developed patented engine technology that boosts aircraft safety and cuts through certification headaches. Their propulsion lineup runs the gamut from electric ducted fans to geared turbofan engines. The secret sauce? Combining these with advanced aircraft integration and low-cost manufacturing. The result: aircraft that are quieter, faster, more efficient, and built for the real demands of modern aerospace. No fluff, just results. ### The Drone Problem They're Solving Here's where it gets real. The NIF dropped some staggering numbers: Russia produced over 50,000 Shahed-class attack drones in 2025, up from just 11,000 the year before. And those drones are getting faster—newer variants hit speeds of around 310 mph (500 km/h). At those speeds, traditional propeller-based interceptors can't keep up. Turbojets can, but they take up to two minutes to spool up and have fragile supply chains. Greenjets fills that gap with engines and airframes that close the speed gap without the lag. Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, Partner at NIF, explained it this way: "Propulsion is the constraint that determines whether an interceptor can close the gap on a 310 mph target. Greenjets is tackling this at both the engine and airframe level, meaningfully improving performance for UAS and CUAS companies without them having to reinvent the wheel." ### From Development to Production Greenjets is already under contract across multiple UK and international programs, with demo trials scheduled with the UK Ministry of Defence this year. They've expanded their UK facilities from 12,000 to nearly 70,000 square feet—a massive jump that signals serious production ambitions. Their workforce is growing too, from 160 to over 250 people, all focused on making the leap from development to full-scale production. ### What's Next? The company plans to use this funding to deliver thousands of systems over the next 12 months, while accelerating development across propulsion and AI integration. If they pull it off, Greenjets could become a key piece of the defense supply chain for NATO allies. - Key takeaways: - $40 million Series A with NATO backing - Patented engine tech for faster, safer drones - Addressing the speed gap in drone interception - Scaling from 12,000 to 70,000 sq ft facilities - Targeting delivery of thousands of systems in 12 months This isn't just another funding round—it's a signal that the future of defense aviation is being built right now, and it's happening faster than most people realize.