Thistle

Thistle is a defense system integrator based in Tallinn, Estonia working in counter-uas & air defense, weapons, optronics +1 more.

Thistle, operating as Thistle Shield, is an Estonian defence technology company developing lightweight counter-drone protection systems. Its core product is a robotic weapon station that detects, tracks and neutralises FPV and Group 1 drones, using passive multi-sensor detection and edge AI with human authorisation of every engagement. Nodes can be fitted to dismounted, vehicle, UGV or fixed-site platforms, and can be networked into clusters and a wider layered defence picture. Thistle also provides integration onto existing platforms and command systems, crew training with live-fire acceptance, and sustainment over the service life. Work is delivered in-house in Estonia and through partners where export rules allow. The company's development has been co-funded by Estonian and EU programmes, and it reports live-fire trials with a NATO member state's armed forces.