January 22, 2026 (LONDON & EUROPE) – Elbit Systems UK has officially completed the acquisition of UAV Tactical Systems Ltd. (UTACS), a move that significantly strengthens its footprint in the European uncrewed defence sector and enhances the development of advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
UTACS, a respected British provider of tactical uncrewed systems with nearly two decades of experience supplying platforms to the British Army and international organisations — including NATO members and United Nations missions — will now operate entirely under Elbit Systems UK’s ownership. This acquisition follows the receipt of all necessary regulatory and government approvals and marks a key milestone in expanding UAS capabilities across the region.
Under Elbit Systems UK, UTACS is set to grow into a centre of excellence for the design, development, and sustainment of advanced uncrewed systems. Leveraging Elbit’s broader global expertise and technological resources, the acquisition aims to retain highly skilled UK talent while enhancing support for European and NATO defence customers. The integration also reinforces the UK’s defence industrial base and bolsters interoperability with allied forces across a range of defence applications.
The strategic move reflects increasing demand for sophisticated UAS capabilities in modern defence environments, where uncrewed platforms play critical roles in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and other operational domains. By combining Elbit’s global reach with UTACS’s tactical systems expertise, the company aims to accelerate innovation and deliver cutting-edge uncrewed solutions to meet evolving defence needs.
“Bringing UTACS fully into the Elbit Systems family enhances our ability to develop advanced uncrewed systems and support our defence partners across Europe,” said a spokesperson for Elbit Systems UK. “This acquisition reinforces our commitment to innovation and deepens strategic cooperation in the uncrewed domain.”
Industry analysts note that the completion of this acquisition underscores broader trends in defence technology, where consolidation and collaboration are helping to accelerate UAS capabilities and strengthen collective security frameworks. With this transaction complete, Elbit Systems UK is well positioned to expand its influence in the rapidly evolving landscape of uncrewed defence technologies.
