Lithuanian Startup Granta Autonomy Ramps Up Drone Production for Ukraine, Featuring New X-Wing Loitering Munition

Granta Autonomy Boosts Drone Deliveries to Ukraine

Granta Autonomy, a Lithuanian drone manufacturing company, is significantly increasing its production to supply Ukraine with hundreds of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Located in Vilnius, Lithuania, with its factory situated less than 200 kilometers from Belarus and approximately 300 kilometers from Russia, the company employs 40 personnel and operates around the clock to meet the demand.

Founded in 2015 by former Lithuanian military engineers, Granta Autonomy has a strong focus on integrating real-world battlefield experience into its development process. Its technical director, Laurynas Litvinas, and CEO, Gediminas Guoba, emphasize the critical nature of on-ground insights, with company representatives actively visiting front lines in Ukraine to refine their systems.

Introducing the X-Wing Loitering Munition

Among the key contributions is the X-Wing loitering munition, Granta Autonomy's latest innovation. This vertically launched (VTOL) strike drone was unveiled in 2025 and has already been deployed for trials in the Ukrainian theater, with hundreds of units reportedly on order.

Key features of the X-Wing include:

• A 4-kilogram warhead, designed to be effective against both main battle tanks and softer targets like radars and anti-aircraft systems.
• Advanced resilience against electronic warfare, having successfully navigated during tests against jamming technologies in Ukraine.
• An operational range of up to 50-60 kilometers and the capability to reach altitudes of up to 6,000 meters.
• Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) design, combining quadcopter-style launch with efficient fixed-wing flight, and requiring no specialized launch infrastructure, allowing for simultaneous deployment of multiple units.
• Integration of components sourced from Ukrainian manufacturers, particularly for precision navigation systems, and utilizing AI for autonomous flight even in GNSS-denied environments.

The company aims to manufacture 1,000 units of the X-Wing per month by mid-2026, with initial deliveries expected before the end of 2025.

Broader Lithuanian Support for Ukraine

Granta Autonomy's efforts are part of a broader commitment by Lithuania to support Ukraine. Lithuania has pledged 0.25% of its GDP annually in military assistance and plans to supply over 5,000 domestically produced drones to Ukraine by the end of fall 2025.

Previous deliveries from Granta Autonomy to Ukraine include over 1,000 drones, comprising 100 Hornet XR reconnaissance units and nearly 1,000 GA-FPV quadcopters. Lithuania has also earmarked €5 million for drone procurement from its manufacturers and is investing €10 million in the production of the 'Palianytsia' rocket drone in Ukraine, highlighting a strong collaborative approach to defense technology.

Leveraging Battlefield Experience for Innovation

The development of drones like the X-Wing is heavily influenced by direct feedback from the Ukrainian battlefield. Granta Autonomy actively seeks exposure to operational environments to ensure that all aspects of drone security and performance are addressed, particularly against sophisticated electronic warfare capabilities. This approach allows for continuous adaptation and improvement of their systems.