Throughout the two-day exhibition at ExCeL London, TOP Technology's stand was rarely quiet. European customers arrived one after another, sitting down with our team to discuss potential opportunities. Interestingly, their most frequently asked questions were not about price, but about three key issues:

How high can your energy density go? Can you supply locally in Europe? How soon can we receive samples?

These three questions reflect the changes currently taking place in Europe's drone battery market.

Here are our key observations and insights from DroneX 2026.

01 | 48 Hours at the Heart of Europe's Unmanned Systems Industry

DroneX is one of Europe's leading B2B and B2G exhibitions dedicated to unmanned technologies. Held annually, this year's event took place at ExCeL London on September 29–30.

According to the event organizer, DroneX 2026 brought together over 4,000 industry professionals, 300 exhibitors, and 150 seminars, covering four major sectors: Commercial, Defence, Emergency Services, and Future of Flight.

TOP Technology showcased its 460Wh/kg mass-produced semi-solid-state battery cells, backed by 35 years of materials research expertise and 26 years of battery cell manufacturing experience.

Unlike previous exhibitions, this year's visitors to our stand included not only drone manufacturers, but also a significant number of battery PACK manufacturers, system integrators, and distributors — all actively sourcing battery cells for their end customers.

02 | Three Key Signals from DroneX 2026

Signal 1: Counter-UAS Takes Centre Stage

One of the most noticeable developments at this year's exhibition was the growing prominence of Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS).

Previously a relatively specialised segment, counter-drone technologies have now become a major focus of the exhibition. Solutions ranging from soft-kill and hard-kill systems to detection and identification technologies were widely showcased, generating considerable interest and discussion.

This shift suggests that Europe's response to low-altitude security threats is moving beyond strategic discussions towards actual procurement and deployment.

As defence and security requirements continue to grow, demand for high-performance power batteries and extended-endurance battery cells is expected to increase accordingly.

Signal 2: A Crowded Battery Market, but Mass-Produced High-Energy-Density Cells Remain Scarce

While numerous battery suppliers participated in the exhibition, the companies attracting the greatest attention were those capable of delivering mass-produced, high-energy-density battery cells, rather than laboratory prototypes.

Several customers confirmed during discussions that high energy density has become a baseline requirement for leading drone projects.

TOP Technology's 460Wh/kg mass-produced battery cells, showcased in London, represent a significant advancement in endurance capabilities for long-range UAV applications.

Meanwhile, our next-generation 500Wh/kg battery technology is already under development, with an official launch expected by the end of 2026.

This development aligns with a broader industry trend: in 2026, high-energy-density battery technologies are increasingly transitioning from laboratory research to commercial production.

TOP Technology's confidence is built on its independently developed materials system, integrating:

• Lithium-rich manganese-based cathode materials

• 100% silicon-carbon anode materials

• Composite solid-state electrolytes

Through the synergistic development of these three core technologies, TOP Technology has successfully achieved 460Wh/kg at the mass-production level — moving beyond laboratory samples to practical manufacturing.

Signal 3: Customers Are Looking Beyond Performance to Supply Chain Reliability

Another frequently raised question was:

"Do you have production capacity or inventory in Europe?"

Compared with previous years, European customers demonstrated noticeably greater concern about localised battery supply, delivery lead times, and transport compliance, particularly dangerous goods shipping requirements and UN38.3 certification.

For Chinese battery manufacturers, this represents an opportunity to be reassessed by Western markets.

Customers are no longer evaluating suppliers solely on performance and price. They are also placing increasing importance on supply chain security, delivery reliability, and responsiveness.

03 | The 460Wh/kg Battery Cells Everyone Wanted to Sample

Among the high-potential customers we met at DroneX 2026, one request stood out above all others:

Samples.

Several discussions quickly moved beyond general product introductions towards specific technical evaluations and procurement plans.

• European battery PACK manufacturer: Expressed clear purchasing interest in our 460Wh/kg, 26Ah battery cells, with an initial requirement of 100 cells for project validation.

• Next-generation battery development: A potential customer approached us with a target energy density of 500Wh/kg, expressing interest in jointly developing a high-specific-energy battery solution.

• Lightweight drone applications: Compact battery specifications, such as 2250mAh/65g, attracted repeated pricing enquiries for drones with a maximum take-off weight below 250g.

However, customers were not focused on energy density alone.

Low-temperature performance, water resistance ratings, high-rate discharge capability, cycle life, and battery pack integration were all important topics during technical discussions.

TOP Technology's semi-solid-state battery solution is built on its independently developed materials platform, combining lithium-rich manganese-based cathodes, 100% silicon-carbon anodes, and composite solid-state electrolytes.

By bringing energy density to 460Wh/kg at the mass-production level, TOP Technology is not simply pursuing higher performance figures. We are establishing a practical and verifiable engineering pathway that connects advanced materials innovation with real-world battery applications.

04 | Beyond Energy Density: What Else Are Customers Asking?

When customers engage in serious technical discussions, their questions go far beyond simply asking, "How many Wh/kg?"

High energy density is only the starting point. Every question that follows plays a critical role in determining whether a battery solution can be successfully deployed in real-world applications.

• Low-Temperature Performance: Operating conditions in Europe's higher-latitude regions place demanding requirements on battery discharge performance at low temperatures. TOP Technology's semi-solid-state battery technology is designed to maintain usable capacity under low-temperature conditions.

• Protection and Environmental Adaptability: Mission-critical UAVs frequently operate outdoors in dusty, humid, and challenging environments. Battery solutions must withstand demanding real-world operating conditions.

• High-Rate Discharge Capability: UAV take-off and manoeuvring often require short bursts of high power. High-rate discharge performance directly affects operational capabilities and mission execution.

• Cycle Life and Battery Pack Integration: Customers need reliable, long-term supply solutions, not just impressive laboratory results. TOP Technology combines its long-cycle-life, low-capacity-fade technology with customised battery pack solutions tailored to specific UAV requirements.

Behind these questions lies a clear objective: customers are evaluating suppliers on behalf of their end users, looking for partners capable of mass production, reliable delivery, and long-term performance.

What TOP Technology brought to London was more than an impressive energy density figure. It was a comprehensive battery solution — from advanced materials technology to customised battery pack integration.

After two intensive days at DroneX 2026 in London, TOP Technology's most valuable takeaway was not the number of business connections made, but a clearer understanding of two emerging market priorities.

First, European demand for high-performance battery cells is both strong and increasingly urgent. Second, reliable local supply and delivery capabilities are becoming just as important as technological performance in gaining access to the European market.

For TOP Technology, DroneX 2026 was more than an opportunity to showcase our technology. It marked another step towards building stronger partnerships and expanding our presence in the European market.

Our next priority is to turn these conversations into tangible progress — delivering samples, validating performance through real-world testing, and building long-term partnerships backed by proven technology and reliable supply.

Because ultimately, performance is best demonstrated through results, not promises.