Strategic-Technological Analysis: Zelenza Defence (Spain)

Zelenza is a Spanish defence technology company with roots in advanced telecommunications and robotic systems. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Madrid, it has grown through the merger of earlier Spanish ICT firms to a mid-cap firm (2,500+ staff, ~€120M revenue). Though privately held, it operates as a technology integrator, specializing in command-and-control and unmanned systems. Zelenza’s core focus is on applying artificial intelligence and secure network communications to military logistics and multi-domain operations.

Its flagship product line, SIMACODA (also known as SIMCODA), is a proprietary C2 software suite designed to coordinate fleets of unmanned vehicles across land, air, and maritime environments. The company also develops autonomous drone swarms (the “Starling” systems) and related AI-driven decision tools. This analysis examines Zelenza’s strategic-technological positioning within Europe’s defence context, emphasizing its alignment with EU/NATO autonomy and interoperability goals, and how its indigenous technologies can reduce dependence on non-European suppliers. Zelenza Defence SL is a private independent Spanish defence technology firm (mid-cap) spun out from European telecom and defence R&D expertise.

Its core technologies center on unmanned systems and AI. Specifically, Zelenza’s portfolio includes distributed command-and-control software (military AI/C4ISR), multi-domain swarming drone systems, and secure communications networks, addressing key EU Emerging and Disruptive Technology (EDT) priorities: AI-enabled autonomy and resilient C4ISR platforms. By developing these systems in Europe, Zelenza can substitute certain non-EU components (e.g. foreign UAV C2 systems) with domestic solutions, strengthening EU defence supply chains. The firm participates in national R&D programs (e.g. a 5G/AI drone-traffic project co-funded by EU Recovery funds) but has no major European Defence Fund projects on record.

Its technologies have reached advanced prototype levels (TRL≈7–8) in collaboration with the Spanish Air Force.