News: Optoelectronics
22 October 2025
NUBURU announces strategic alliance with Maddox Defense for controlling-interest JV to advance next-gen drone technologies
NUBURU Inc of Centennial, CO, USA — which was founded in 2015 and developed and previously manufactured high-power industrial blue lasers — has entered into a strategic framework agreement with Nuburu Defense LLC and Maddox Defense Inc of San Diego, CA, USA to establish a joint venture.
Controlled by Nuburu Defense, the JV will focus on the compliant development, manufacturing and deployment of advanced drone systems for both military and commercial applications.
Strategic objectives
The JV will design, manufacture and deploy adaptable military drones for NATO and allied customers, leveraging the combined technical and operational expertise of Nuburu Defense and Maddox Defense. The parties estimate that the NATO UAV defense market opportunity at $7–10.3bn annually.
In addition to defense programs, the JV’s 2026–2028 plan includes a comprehensive go-to-market strategy for commercial and civil-sector drone deployment, built on synergies with NUBURU’s core blue-laser platform, the Orbit operational-resilience system (recently acquired under controlling interest), and Tekne’s defense-mobility suite.
The JV anticipates reaching about $100m in annual revenue by the end of 2028 and $165m cumulatively across 2026–2028.
Manufacturing approach
Operations will utilize rapid-manufacturing pods capable of deployable field fabrication through polymer and metal 3D printing, modular avionics, and scalable commercial components.
These mobile production units enable on-demand UAV assembly and re-configuration near operational zones while remaining compliant with applicable export-control laws.
Joint venture framework
Under the strategic framework agreement, the parties intend to execute a definitive joint venture agreement (JVA) on or before 15 December, establishing the JV under Italian law as a European-based manufacturing and research hub.
The collaboration will integrate complementary technologies for NATO-authorized programs while maintaining full US export-control compliance. No transfer of US-controlled defense technology or classified data is contemplated; all US-origin technical information remains subject to ITAR and EAR regulations.
Key anticipated terms include:
- Nuburu Defense to contribute up to $10m in capital funding;
- Maddox Defense to contribute eligible assets, intellectual property and personnel, formally appraised per Italian law;
- equity ownership allocated by assessed contributions, with Nuburu Defense retaining a controlling interest;
- a joint board of directors comprising representatives from both parties;
- a period of mutual exclusivity during negotiation and execution of the JVA.
“This framework agreement marks another pivotal step forward as NUBURU expands its presence across the defense and commercial sectors,” says Alessandro Zamboni, executive chairman and co-CEO of NUBURU. “Our blue-laser innovation, paired with Maddox Defense’s battlefield-proven UAV design and the capabilities of our Orbit platform, positions this JV to deliver next-generation, compliant drone solutions. We also anticipate strong synergies with Tekne’s mobility technologies and client base,” he adds.
“Maddox Defense is thrilled to partner with NUBURU to deliver advanced drone capabilities to NATO and civilian markets,” said
“Our Special Forces and intelligence-veteran engineering team brings combat-tested innovation and design intelligence — including direct experience supporting allied operations — that, when combined with NUBURU’s laser systems and Orbit’s resilience tools, creates a formidable platform for global defense and security,” says Maddox Defense’s founder Jason Maddox.
“This venture enables Nuburu Defense to extend our mission-critical laser solutions into the rapidly expanding drone domain,” says Dario Barisoni, CEO of Nuburu Defense LLC. “Together with Maddox Defense, we’re aligning innovation, rapid deployment, and regulatory compliance to meet NATO-standardized operational requirements,” he adds. “The launch of the JV has ideal timing, considering the acquisition secured with Orbit and the recent interest of the Italian Government in Tekne, which has a perfect fit with the strategic and industrial alliance we have been building up with the company.”
Regulatory and compliance
All technologies and systems developed by the JV will be designed and manufactured in full accordance with applicable US, EU and NATO export-control laws, ensuring responsible deployment of defense technologies solely to authorized partners and allied nations, says NUBURU.
The NUBURU–Maddox Defense JV combines NUBURU’s proprietary blue-laser technology, Maddox Defense’s combat-tested UAV engineering, and the Orbit operational-resilience platform to deliver scalable, rapid-response drone systems for defense, security and commercial applications worldwide.
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