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US radar maker Echodyne mulls European production as counter-drone demand surges
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U.S. radar manufacturer Echodyne is evaluating the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Europe to capitalize on the booming counter-drone market, according to CEO Eben Frankenberg. Speaking at the MSPO defense show in Kielce, Poland, Frankenberg announced that Norway's Kongsberg has selected Echodyne's MESA radar platform for integration into its Protector RS4 and RS6 remote weapon stations, enhancing their capability to counter drone threats. The CEO noted strong European demand and interest from European countries in local content, prompting the company to consider where a European facility would be most viable. This follows Echodyne's opening of an 86,350-square-foot plant in Washington state in July 2026, built with a $40 million investment and capable of producing over 30,000 radar systems annually. Frankenberg stated that the U.S. facility serves as a blueprint for potential future facilities abroad.
Source report
KIELCE, Poland — U.S. radar manufacturer Echodyne has announced that Norway's Kongsberg has selected its MESA radar platform for a broad range of air and surface applications.
The company opened a manufacturing facility in Washington state last July and is now considering establishing a manufacturing presence in Europe to capitalize on the booming counter-drone market there.
Strategic Partnership with Kongsberg
Eben Frankenberg, Echodyne's CEO, told Defense News at the MSPO defense show in Kielce that the company has a longstanding cooperation with Kongsberg. The integration of Echodyne's radars into Kongsberg's Protector RS4 and Protector RS6 remote weapon stations will further increase the company's visibility in European markets, he said.
Echodyne's solutions will make "those remote weapon stations, which weren't originally designed to counter drone threats, effective at countering drone threats," Frankenberg said. "And this is something we do with a lot of companies."
European Expansion Plans
With surging demand for miniaturized radars that ensure detection and fire-control support for various counter-drone systems in Europe, Echodyne is also considering investing in a European manufacturing presence.
"There's obviously a big European demand and there's rightfully some interest from European countries in having more local content," the CEO said. "We're thinking about where it would make the most sense."
U.S. Manufacturing Capacity
In July 2026, Echodyne announced the opening of an 86,350-square-foot facility in Washington state, backed by a $40 million investment. The U.S. plant will eventually be capable of producing more than 30,000 radar systems per year, according to company data.
"Part of the plan with the new facility was that it gives us a template or blueprint to be able to open other new facilities in the future. Because now we know exactly all the machines we need to have, all the workstations, the number of people to equip them," Frankenberg said. "So it does set us up for that in the future."
About the author: Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.
Source
C4ISRNetWestern