Georgian and Polish collaboration launches UAS programme to implement drone operations

The Georgian Aviation University, Georgian innovation firm December32, and Polish drone maker Spectre Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Their goal is to jointly establish a civil Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sector in Georgia aiming to create 300 jobs including in research & development, software development, flight operations and manufacturing across the country.

With the signing of the MoU, the three parties commit to collaboratively develop solutions which path the way to integrating drones into the public service sector. Their vision is the deployment of versatile Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drones around the country to conduct various public service missions, i.e., search and rescue, disaster response, power line inspection and medical deliveries, as a less costly supplement to the helicopter fleet to improve citizens’ lives, says the press release.

“Today we plant a flag for creating a UAS ecosystem here in Georgia. Together with Georgian Aviation University and Spectre Solutions, we show the capabilities and willingness to build a bridge between decisions makers, academia, industry, and startups in the sector in Georgia and through international cooperation.”, says Julia Schwarz of December32.

The signing parties have identified Research & Development projects with high impact on economic growth and society of Georgia. By signing the MoU, they commit to jointly apply for EU Horizon funding for those projects which strongly support Georgia’s integration with the European Community, foster knowledge transfer from EU countries and nurture a competitive talent pool.

The signing ceremony was supported by speeches of Levan Darsalia, Deputy Chairman of GITA, Mariusz Pietrzak, Deputy Head of The Embassy of the Republic of Poland, Levan Khetsuriani, Head of Horizon Europe National Office, and Akaki Maisaia, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Head of Department of Georgian Civil Aviation Agency. Amongst the attendees were representatives of the Polish, German and UK foreign governments, numerous VIPs of the aviation sector, WomeninTech, various drone startups and funding institutes in Georgia.

The event was held at GITA TechoPark and hosted by December32, represented by Miles Lalor, Chief Growth Officer & Co-Founder, as host speaker. The signing parties were Julia Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder of December32, Sergo Tepnadze, Rector of Georgian Aviation University and Sebastian Konkol, Chief Information Officer & Co-Founder of Spectre Solutions.

On display was a Spectre-1 drone exhibit, designed and produced by Spectre Solutions in Poland.