CSG Acquires Serbian Company MUST Solutions, a Manufacturer of Propulsion Systems for Drones
The industrial and technology holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG), owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad, has made its first acquisition within the framework of its expansion into the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sector. Through its newly established subsidiary AviaNera Technologies a.s., CSG has acquired a 51% stake in the Serbian company MUST Solutions from its founder and majority owner Vladimir Jazarević. The purchase price of the transaction is not being disclosed.
MUST Solutions (Mechatronics Unmanned Systems and Technology Solutions), based in Belgrade, specializes in the development and production of propulsion systems for advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. Its flagship product is a 4,000 N turbofan engine, the only one of its kind developed in Europe, offering significantly lower fuel consumption combined with extended range. In addition, the company produces a 300 N turbojet engine designed for lighter unmanned aerial systems.
“The acquisition of MUST Solutions represents the first tangible step in implementing our UAS strategy, which we announced with the establishment of AviaNera Technologies. Our goal is to acquire cutting-edge technologies and know-how in the field of propulsion systems, which are a key component—and often a bottleneck—in the development and production of modern unmanned platforms,” said Michal Strnad, owner of CSG. “It is the first step toward vertical integration that will allow us to develop and manufacture complete systems,” Strnad added.
Founded six years ago, MUST Solutions employs a team of specialists in mechatronics and aerospace engineering. The company operates its own development facilities and a prototype workshop capable of small-scale production. AviaNera plans to invest in expanding these capabilities toward full-scale serial production of engines for both defense and civilian applications.
“The strong industrial base of CSG and AviaNera will enable MUST Solutions to grow rapidly. As early as 2026, we expect to deliver several hundred engines to our customers. Production will gradually expand in Europe—including our home base in the Czech Republic—as well as in Asia and the United States, while our R&D center will remain in Serbia,” explained Pavel Čechal, CEO of AviaNera Technologies and adds: “Our goal is not only to increase production capacity, but also to expand our product portfolio. We are intensively continuing the development of new propulsion units with outstanding performance parameters, which we plan to introduce to the market next year.”
“When we founded MUST Solutions six years ago, our ambition was to build a European center of excellence for unmanned propulsion systems. The partnership with CSG and AviaNera Technologies is a natural continuation of this mission. It provides us with the backing of a strong industrial group capable of developing and manufacturing our technologies on a much larger scale,” said Vladimir Jazarević, founder and former majority owner of MUST Solutions.
The acquisition of MUST Solutions is an important step in building the UAS sector as a major pillar of CSG’s business. Its growth will continue through further acquisitions, partnerships with top industry players, and synergies with other CSG companies active in aerospace, UAS technologies, and large-caliber ammunition production.
About MUST Solutions
MUST Solutions (Mechatronics Unmanned Systems and Technology Solutions) is a Serbian technology company based in Belgrade. Founded in 2019 by UAS propulsion systems expert Vladimir Jazarević, the company focuses on the development and production of propulsion units for unmanned aerial systems. It designs turbojet and turbofan engines for UAVs of various categories and specializes in prototype development, testing, and integration of engines into aerial platforms. The company employs a team of experts and is preparing to expand its production capabilities in Europe, Asia, and the United States.
Vladimir Jazarević holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Belgrade, where he also graduated in Aeronautical Engineering. He gained international research and development experience at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and the International Center for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE) in Barcelona. Before founding MUST Solutions in 2019, he spent seven years at Engine Development and Production (EDePro), focusing on gas generators and UAV rotorcraft (VTOL and helicopter) development. Today, he continues to lead innovation in gas and electric propulsion, autopilot systems, and advanced mechatronic solutions for unmanned aerial platforms.
About Czechoslovak Group (CSG)
The Czechoslovak Group (CSG) is a global industrial and technology group owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad. It supplies technologies that contribute to a safer and more stable future. CSG focuses on the development and production of strategically important products, systems, and technologies in the fields of defense, aerospace, automotive, and other advanced industries. CSG operates key manufacturing facilities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Serbia, Greece, and India, exporting its products worldwide. The group continuously invests in the growth of its companies and expansion of its core business activities. Among its key members are Excalibur Army (Czech Republic, land systems), Tatra Trucks (Czech Republic, vehicles), MSM Group (Slovakia, artillery ammunition), The Kinetic Group (USA, small-caliber ammunition), and Eldis (Czech Republic, radar systems). CSG specializes in the development and production of strategically vital products and systems essential for the defense of core civilizational values. The group employs over 14,000 people across its integrated and affiliated companies. In 2024, CSG achieved revenues of EUR 5.2 billion, including EUR 4 billion in consolidated sales.
