LMT Defence, Thales Italia Pact on Counter-Drone Tech
The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen cooperation on drone detection using mobile communications technology.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Telecommunications
LMT Defence and Thales Italia signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in defence technology, focusing on mobile communications and infrastructure for drone detection and counter-drone capabilities. The agreement builds on work begun under 5G COMPAD, a European Defence Fund-supported project in which both companies are participating in the next phase, 5G COMPAD 2.0.
Why it matters
Drone threats are driving defence buyers to explore mobile networks as sensing infrastructure rather than relying solely on dedicated radar systems. The partnership pairs a mobile network operator and defence integrator with Thales Italia's defence 4G/5G technologies, reflecting a broader European effort to combine telecom expertise with defence capability.
The approach uses mobile phone networks to track and identify drones through their behavioural patterns, with Thales Italia's defence 4G/5G technologies as the integration point. Thales allocates €4.5 billion annually to Research & Development, but the technical performance metrics of the drone detection system have not been disclosed.
The players
LMT Defence
LMT Defence is a mobile network operator and defence technology integrator that participates in European Defence Fund and NATO initiatives.
Thales Italia
Thales Italia is the Italian arm of the French defence and aerospace group Thales, which is listed on Euronext Paris under the symbol HO.
The details
Both companies will evaluate how LMT's products, services and mobile network expertise can be combined with Thales Italia's defence 4G/5G technologies. The cooperation originated through 5G COMPAD, and both firms are taking part in its next phase, 5G COMPAD 2.0.
Timeline
• The Memorandum of Understanding was published on 2 November 2026.
The Tech Race
The partnership extends the European Defence Fund-supported 5G COMPAD programme, moving collaboration on defence-grade mobile networks into a bilateral commitment on counter-drone capabilities. It positions European defence integrators to compete on mobile-network-based sensing against dedicated military radar suppliers.
For the average consumer, the partnership does not change how mobile service is bought or used today. Its effects are limited to defence procurement and the security infrastructure that may later rely on mobile networks.
The takeaway
Mobile networks are increasingly being evaluated as defence sensing infrastructure, not just communications pipes. Watch whether the cooperation moves from a memorandum to a defined proof of concept with stated milestones.
Further reading
Explore more Telecommunications coverage on how mobile networks are being adapted for defence and security uses.
Source note: This article includes information reported by sUAS News - The Business of Drones.
