Norway’s Kongsberg Group has agreed to acquire a 90 percent stake in US-based Zone 5 Technologies, significantly expanding its portfolio of low-cost, mass-produced strike and counter-drone weapons. The acquisition, executed through Kongsberg’s Defence and Aerospace division, reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts where high-volume, affordable munitions have proven critical against drone swarms and distributed threats. Zone 5, founded in 2011 and employing around 250 personnel, reported revenues exceeding $100 million in fiscal 2025. Its product lineup includes the Rusty Dagger subsonic missile, White Spike interceptor, and Paladin tactical hexacopter, all designed for scalable production. While financial terms were not disclosed, the deal remains subject to regulatory approval, after which Zone 5 will operate as an independent subsidiary. Kongsberg emphasized that the acquisition supports its strategy to address growing global demand for cost-effective strike and air defense solutions, particularly as militaries seek to counter massed unmanned aerial threats.
