Defence technology company Elbit Systems UK (ESUK) has completed the full acquisition of UAV Tactical Systems (UTACS), securing all necessary regulatory and government clearances.
Created in 2005, UTACS operated as a joint venture, with Elbit Systems previously holding a 51% stake and Thales UK owning the remaining shares.
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Elbit Systems UK stated that full ownership will enable further development of UTACS as a centre for the design, development and support of advanced uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in Britain and the surrounding region.
The group plans to concentrate on serving European and Nato customers, while continuing to deliver existing programmes and maintain its current British workforce.
The company has not disclosed financial details of the transaction.
UTACS has supplied numerous tactical UAS to the British Army over almost 20 years, as well as to international clients such as the United Nations and Nato member states.
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By GlobalDataThe Watchkeeper programme, which integrates 40 uncrewed aerial vehicles equipped with sensors, has formed part of UTACS’s operations.
The company, headquartered in Braunstone Town, Leicestershire, operates as a small to medium-sized enterprise with access to multinational parent companies that have a combined presence in more than 70 countries.
Elbit Systems President and CEO Bezhalel Machlis said: “Elbit Systems continues to expand its presence in the UK to meet the growing demand for our products and technologies.
“As a global leader in UAS, with customers across Europe, Nato, and beyond, this acquisition further strengthens our engineering and manufacturing capabilities across the continent, reinforcing our long term commitment to the UK and the wider European defence industry.”
