Elbit Systems has finalized its complete acquisition of the U.K.-based drone manufacturer UAV Tactical Systems (UTACS) and intends to manufacture drones for European clients at its facility in Leicester.
Established around 20 years ago as a joint venture between Elbit and the French Thales Group, UTACS was originally created to bid on drone contracts for the British Army. Its flagship product, the Watchkeeper, became fully operational by late 2018.
Elbit’s takeover of UTACS occurs roughly a year after the British government announced plans to gradually retire the Watchkeeper drones.
Among Elbit’s recent drone contracts is the sale of Hermes 900 UAVs to the Singaporean military. The company also operates in related sectors, including loitering munitions with its SkyStriker series and reconnaissance and intelligence drones through its Skylark and Magni-X models.
Neither Elbit nor Thales disclosed the financial terms of the acquisition, though Elbit confirmed that the purchase was completed after obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals.
