A New Generation of Defence Innovators
Praesidium Defence is an Estonian dual-use technology company developing AI-driven ISR and counter-UAS systems for NATO-aligned partners. uniting operational experience with Estonian innovation to deliver intelligent, field-validated autonomy solutions.
Our Mission
To build the autonomous command layer for NATO’s next generation of defence systems — enabling real-time decision-making, sovereign AI control, and scalable resilience in contested environments.
OUR VALUES
Sovereignty:
Systems designed for allied independence.
Integrity:
Ethical, human-supervised autonomy in all engagements.
Precision:
AI Engineering discipline that exceeds battlefield demand.
Collaboration:
Working within NATO and EU innovation frameworks..
Our Founders
David Baird
CEO & Founder
David Baird is the founder and CEO of Praesidium Defence, an Estonian defence innovation group specialising in autonomous ISR, battlefield AI and sovereign edge-AI deployments. David’s work focuses on turning advanced autonomy into practical, deployable capability: resilient sensor-fusion, human-in-the-loop control, and swarm coordination designed and field-tested with frontline partners.
He leads programme delivery across projects such as ARGUS and WIDOWSWARM, works directly with allied defence partners (including Ukrainian operational stakeholders), and drives Praesidium’s effort to retrofit legacy platforms for modern counter-UAS and ISR roles. David combines rapid prototyping with systems-level assurance, emphasising operator trust, sovereignty of supply, and mission-focused outcomes.
Kristy Comb
Founder & Director of UAS Capability
Kristy Comb is co-founder and Head of UAS Capability at Praesidium Defence, responsible for bringing tactical unmanned solutions from concept to fielded capability. Kristy specialises in tactical UAS, she drives customer engagement, integration partnerships, and capability roadmaps that ensure systems meet real-world operational needs and procurement constraints.
Kristy works closely with engineering and field teams to translate operator requirements into scalable, sovereign platforms and retrofit programmes. Her focus is on practical, mission-first solutions, short time-to-deploy packages, clear integration pathways, and training that make advanced autonomy usable by the forces who need it.
Our Technology
From Counter-UAS to Autonomous Networks
Baird Technology develops modular, scalable technologies that combine AI, sensor fusion, and distributed autonomy to protect and empower allied forces.
WIDOWSWARM
Autonomous ISR Swarm System
WIDOWSWARM is an offline, self-coordinating drone network that conducts autonomous surveillance, reconnaissance, and situational analysis in GNSS-denied environments.
Each WIDOW unit acts as a node in a resilient, intelligent swarm.
ARGUS-23
AI Fire Control System
ARGUS-23 transforms legacy anti-aircraft systems into intelligent, autonomous fire control platforms.
It integrates vision-based target detection, predictive ballistics, and real-time operator cueing, achieving faster intercepts with human oversight.
Dual-Use & Innovation
Our systems are designed to operate in both defence and civil applications, from border security and critical infrastructure protection to humanitarian ISR and disaster response.
Baird Technology represents the next evolution of ethical, dual-use AI technology built for allied resilience and adaptable to non-military missions.
Working with Allies and Innovators
Baird Technology collaborates with governments, integrators, and research institutions to accelerate the deployment of autonomous defence technologies.
We are actively engaging with partners across Estonia, Ukraine, and the wider NATO innovation network.