Latest news with #SwiftBeat
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Why an ex-Google CEO is deep in Ukraine's battlefield strategy
When Elon Musk cut Starlink coverage in Kherson in 2022, Ukraine's forces lost key communications mid-counter-offensive. Earlier this year, Maxar, a major satellite imagery provider, also pulled out after US President Donald Trump suspended military aid. These incidents left Ukraine scrambling for alternatives as Russia ramped up missile and drone assaults. Into this vacuum stepped Eric Schmidt . The former Google boss has now taken on a direct role, not as a donor or advocate, but as a defence tech supplier. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Management Design Thinking Artificial Intelligence Data Science Degree Project Management Technology Others CXO Finance PGDM Leadership Digital Marketing Operations Management Healthcare Cybersecurity MCA Public Policy MBA Data Analytics Product Management others Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months IIM Kozhikode CERT-IIMK DABS India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 30 Weeks IIM Kozhikode SEPO - IIMK-AI for Senior Executives India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 10 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Prof Cert in DS & BA with GenAI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months E&ICT Academy, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati CERT-IITG Postgraduate Cert in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIT Madras CERT-IITM Advanced Cert Prog in AI and ML India Starts on undefined Get Details Schmidt's AI drones hit their targets Earlier this month, Schmidt met President Volodymyr Zelensky in Denmark. Together they announced a long-term co-production deal between Ukraine and Swift Beat , the defence tech company Schmidt now backs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Spoiled kid took 3 subway seats while his mom ignored it, so a heroic stranger Kingdom Of Men Undo According to Ekonomichna Pravda, Swift Beat has already supplied three types of drones to Ukrainian forces. The models remain unnamed for security reasons, but they include interceptor drones, medium-range strike UAVs and FPV kamikaze systems. Officials told the outlet that these drones have taken down around 90 percent of Russian Shahed drones they encountered. Live Events 'These drones are extremely accurate in identifying Russian drones in the night sky,' a Ukrainian military source told Ekonomichna Pravda. They added that the drones rely on advanced AI to detect and destroy their targets, and that their secure communication systems have so far resisted Russian electronic warfare. A representative from one Ukrainian brigade confirmed this, noting that Swift Beat's kamikaze drones 'include a proprietary communication system resistant to Russian electronic warfare'. Ukraine shifts from dependency to partnership Unlike earlier arrangements with Western firms, the Swift Beat deal is being described as a genuine partnership. Ukraine gains highly accurate systems for frontline defence. In return, Swift Beat gets a chance to trial and refine its technology under live conditions. Zelensky announced in early July that the agreement would involve joint ventures between Ukrainian manufacturers and Swift Beat, with the aim of producing hundreds of thousands of drones by 2025. 'This is a co-production agreement between Ukraine and the United States. There will be several initiatives focused on various drone types. But the key element is the timeline: hundreds of thousands this year, and more next year,' Zelensky said. He noted that interceptor drones would remain the main priority. Praise, but also skepticism Schmidt is not just helping from afar. He has become a regular presence in Ukraine's defence circles, meeting with then Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and other senior figures. According to one Ukrainian defence official, Schmidt 'understands well what is happening' on the ground and 'believes that AI, drones, and autonomous systems will shape the future of warfare'. Still, not everyone is convinced that Schmidt's role is entirely altruistic. 'He says he's not making money on this, but we know he wants his drones battle-tested,' one industry insider told Ekonomichna Pravda. Others are concerned that Swift Beat's rising influence could edge out local developers. Ukraine's defence sector, though grateful for international support, remains cautious about long-term dependency. Despite these concerns, the results on the battlefield speak for themselves. Schmidt's drones have quickly become some of the most effective systems Ukraine has at its disposal. What is Swift Beat? Little is publicly known about Swift Beat. The firm does not disclose many technical details, but its website suggests it builds autonomous systems. These could include satellite-free navigation tools, drone-tracking software, and other automation technologies. With Ukrainian skies now a major theatre of war, Swift Beat's AI systems are playing a central role. As drone warfare becomes the norm, this partnership may shape not only Ukraine's defence, but the future of combat itself.
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First Post
28-07-2025
- Business
- First Post
How ex-Google CEO emerged as Ukraine's unlikely friend & helped take down Russian drones
Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google and co-founder of Swift Beat, has emerged as an unlikely friend of Ukraine. While tech giants like Elon Musk's SpaceX and Maxar have emerged as unreliable partners, Schmidt's company's interceptor drones have helped the country take down Russian drones. Here's how. read more Eric Schmidt speaks onstage during the 2024 TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 24, 2024 in New York City. (Photo:via AFP) Even as Western technology giants like SpaceX and Maxar have emerged as unreliable partners, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt has emerged as a key partner of Ukraine in the war with Russia. Earlier this month, Schmidt met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Denmark and signed a deal for the joint production of artificially intelligence (AI)-driven interceptor drones. Schmidt's company Swift Beat has provided three types of interceptor drones to Ukraine that have taken down up to 90 per cent of Russian drones that they have encountered, according to Ukrainian-language outlet Ekonomichna Pravda (EP). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'These drones are highly accurate' A source told EP that Swift Beat's interceptor drones are 'are extremely accurate in identifying Russian drones in the night sky'. In recent months, Russia has ramped up attacks on Ukraine with near-daily assaults with hundreds of drones and missiles. Officials told the outlet that Swift Beats' three types of interceptor drones have taken down roughly 90 per cent of Russia's Iranian-origin Shahed drones. Swift Beat's drones are said to be equipped with advanced AI targeting technology and a secure communication system that has so far proven resistant to Russian electronic warfare, the report said. The collaboration between Schmidt's Swift Beat and Ukraine has presented a win-win situation where both sides have benefitted — as opposed to the likes of satellite internet-provider SpaceX-owned Starlink and satellite imagery-provider Maxar that led to Ukraine's dependency. Under the arrangement with Swift Beat, while Ukraine has got interceptor drones with high precision, Swift Beat has had an opportunity for the testing and fine-tuning of its products. Contrary to such a mutually-beneficial arrangement, Ukraine's dependence on other Western tech giants meant that when Elon Musk ordered the shutdown of Starlink in Ukraine's Kherson region in 2022, it compromised Ukraine's ongoing counter-offensive. Similarly, earlier this year, after US President Donald Trump suspended military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, Maxar was ordered to stop providing satellite imagery to Ukraine.
New York Post
05-07-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Ukraine, Denmark ink landmark deal to produce weapons on Danish soil: ‘This is paramount both in terms of security and investment'
Kyiv struck a landmark deal with Denmark Friday that paves the way for Ukrainian companies to jointly produce weapons on Danish soil. It marks the first time Kyiv will open military production facilities overseas as it looks to fend off escalating Russian aggression in its war with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin. Denmark is investing $5 million in the venture, aimed at supporting Ukrainian defense startups, Strategic Industries Minister Herman Smetanin wrote on Facebook following the signing ceremony in Copenhagen. Herman Smetanin (left) and Danish Minister for Industry Morten Bodskov (right) signed the deal Friday. Herman Smetanin / Facebook Increasing its weapons manufacturer in allied countries helps Ukraine strengthen its defense capabilities and build stronger supply chains, after having relied heavily on foreign military aid in its more than-three-year war with Moscow. The historic deal also comes after the US halted weapon shipments to Ukraine on Tuesday over concerns with its own dwindling stockpile. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal 'important decision.' 'Our first agreement on weapons production for Ukraine in Europe. Coproduction between Ukraine and Denmark. This is paramount both in terms of security and investment,' he wrote on X. The deal comes amid renewed Russian aerial offensives aimed at capturing more Ukrainian land, leaving Kyiv's short-handed defenses under severe strain — Moscow's missiles and drones battered Ukrainian cities this week. The Denmark deal is part of a broader focus by Kyiv to internationalize its arms production. Zelensky reached another major deal earlier this week that pairs Ukraine with a private US drone company, just as the Pentagon halted weapon shipments to Ukraine on Tuesday over concerns with its own dwindling stockpile. The deal allows Ukrainian defense companies to open production facilities in Denmark. Herman Smetanin / Facebook Under the terms, Swift Beat — founded by ex-Google CEO Eric Schmidt — would supply hundreds of thousands of drones to Ukraine in 2025 at cost, with plans to ramp up production in 2026, Zelensky announced. 'We are scaling up joint arms production with our partners: long-range weapons to reduce Russia's appetite for killing, and interceptor drones to protect our people,' he added on X. Zelensky in a Friday phone call with President Trump also discussed defense production and investments. Trump characterized the conversation as 'good' and Zelensky agreed to work on increasing Ukraine's capability to 'defend the sky.'
American Military News
05-07-2025
- Business
- American Military News
Zelenskyy Announces US-Ukraine Drone Production Amid Reports Of Halt In Arms Deliveries
This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission. Ukraine's president announced a landmark agreement with a leading US company to jointly produce drones, including interceptors, as Kyiv seeks to boost its defense capabilities in the face of mounting Russian air attacks and waning support from the Trump administration. 'An agreement has been signed with the strong American company Swift Beat,' Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his official Telegram channel as he began a visit to Denmark on July 3. 'We are talking about hundreds of thousands of drones already this year and the possibility of significantly scaling up production next year.' Swift Beat was founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmitt, who joined in a signing ceremony with Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. The announcement comes as the Financial Times reported Zelenskyy is set for a phone call with US President Donald Trump on July 4, where the two leaders are expected to discuss Washington's reported suspension of certain key weapons deliveries to Ukraine. Sources familiar with the situation told the newspaper the suspension affects Patriot interceptor missiles, Stinger MANPADS, precision artillery shells, over 100 Hellfire missiles, and AIM-series air-to-air missiles. Meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump were also set to hold a phone call July 3, their first publicly announced call in more than two weeks. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said it had not received official notifications from Washington about changes to defense aid. Still, it confirmed it had requested a phone conversation with U.S. counterparts 'to clarify details.' Kyiv summoned the top US diplomat in Kyiv, John Hinkel, on July 2 to express concerns over the pause. European allies have reacted with alarm. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned Ukraine 'cannot do without partner support in the short term' and called for a 'measured but firm' approach to sustaining aid. Poland's defense chief, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, described Washington's decision as 'regrettable' and stressed that supporting Ukraine was 'in Poland's national interest.' The Kremlin, by contrast, welcomed the reports. 'The fewer weapons sent to Ukraine, the sooner the special military operation will end,' Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 2, echoing Moscow's longstanding position. Zelenskyy's visit to Denmark will include further talks on joint defense production and other measures to strengthen Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian attacks. 'It's a serious setback for Ukraine, for Europe, and for NATO if the US scales back on support for Kyiv,' Danish PM Mette Frederiksen said. 'I see no sign that Putin wants peace and I do not trust for a second that Putin intends to stop with Ukraine,' Frederiksen stressed. Neither the White House nor Zelenskyy's office formally confirmed the timing of the Trump call, which the FT said could still shift.
Al Arabiya
03-07-2025
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Ukraine signs drone production agreement with US company, Zelenskiy says
Ukraine has a signed an agreement with American company Swift Beat to produce hundreds of thousands of drones this year, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday. 'Interceptors for destroying enemy drones and missiles, quadcopters for reconnaissance and fire adjustment, long-range strike drones — there will be much more of all this,' he wrote on social media during a trip to Denmark.
