HARMATTAN AI, 1 000 drones, un contrat OTAN, et moins de deux ans d’existence

Harmattan AI: NATO Contract and Drone Development

Founded in April 2024, Harmattan AI has quickly established itself in the defense technology sector. On Mon, Jun 30, 2025, the company secured a strategic contract from the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) for the supply of 1,000 micro-drones to the French Army. Shortly thereafter, Harmattan AI announced another contract with a NATO government.

Harmattan AI is redefining the defense tech landscape by accelerating product development cycles. Within a little over a year, the company moved from concept to production by developing two products: a reconnaissance micro-drone selected by the DGA and the GOBI, an autonomous interceptor drone designed to neutralize loitering munitions such as the Shahed-136.

This acceleration leverages a hybrid approach centered on embedded AI, industrial integration suited for wartime conditions, and a product focus aligned with immediate operational needs.

Streamlined Procedures and Immediate Impact

The contract awarded in June 2025 reflects a strategic shift supported by French authorities. The tender, issued in late February, featured only about twenty requirements, an unusually concise format for military contracts. This aimed for a low unit cost and a short production timeline . Pre-contract trials, limited to half a day per candidate, assessed system maturity under real conditions.

Weighing 1.8 kg , with 40 minutes of autonomy and a 2-kilometer range , Harmattan’s combat drone meets the rapid deployment requirements in contested environments. Delivery to units participating in Exercise Orion 2026 is scheduled for October 2025, with subsequent integration into operational preparation.

Harmattan AI has also introduced the GOBI , an autonomous interceptor designed for anti-drone operations. Capable of detecting, targeting, and neutralizing threats in under a minute, the GOBI addresses the growing demand for agile aerial defense. It can be integrated into C2 (Command & Control) systems, coordinating with other sensors to prevent friendly fire. Beyond battlefields, it can protect critical infrastructure in civilian contexts.

Featuring an interoperable , evolutionary AI logic, the GOBI represents a shift from traditional hardware architectures. It exemplifies a generation of software-defined systems adaptable to emerging threats.

Founded in 2023, Harmattan AI is developed by Deep Mine , established by M’ghari Mouad (X, ENS, MIT). The startup has raised several million euros in capital, supported by funds like Atlantic Labs , Kima Ventures , and W Ventures .

D’après FrenchWeb.