UAV Tactical Systems
UAV Tactical Systems is an Israeli-French drone company based out of a factory at Unit F, Meridian East, Meridian Business Park, Leicester, LE19 1WZ, U.K. The factory is used for design, testing, and manufacture of drones sold to the British army, Israel and international arms markets.
Watchkeeper Drone
UAV Tactical Systems’ flagship product is the Watchkeeper drone, made for the British Army and Border Force. Having racked up 100,000 hours of service in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Watchkeeper was originally modelled on Israel’s Elbit-made Hermes drones, which have been extensively deployed in operations against Gaza. By commissioning the Watchkeeper, the British government is thereby buying technology that claims to be ‘field-tested’ on Palestinians, while the Elbit CEO boasted of the ‘collaboration with the Israeli and UK governments‘ made possible through the Watchkeeper programme.
UAV TACTICAL SYSTEMS ARMS ISRAEL
The UAV Tactical Systems factory is directly supplying the Israeli military. Data to 2021 shows that the company holds export licenses for the sale, to Israel, of drones systems, target acquisition/surveillance systems, electronics equipment, and other military technologies. Freedom of Information disclosures show the company supplies Israel with infrared or thermal imaging equipment, and components for military grade ground vehicles.
We also know that the UAV Tactical Systems site has been used for projects operating the Hermes class of drones, on behalf of both the British military and for the United Nations. This drone is notorious for its deployments against Palestinians, used for surveillance, bombings, and targetted assasinations. Having been Israel’s ‘worst kept secret‘ for years, the Israeli military recently admitted that its Hermes drones are outfitted with explosives and munitions, and it is likely that parts for these drones are what comprise the many ML10-categorised exports that UAV Tactical Systems holds for the sale to Israel.
The UAV Tactical Systems site is therefore intimately tied to Israel’s drone warfare operation in two ways. On one hand, it is fuelling Israel’s drone programmes directly through the provision of hardware for Israel’s Hermes. While on the other hand, it further profits from these operations by repackaging and selling Israeli drones under the Watchkeeper brand.
Actions
The Siege Against Leicester’s Israeli weapons Factory Begins
Images and videos from The Siege can be accessed via bit.ly/SiegeMedia, free to use or reproduce. Palestine Action’s siege has begun. Hundreds have descended on Meridian Business Park in Leicester to force Elbit’s factory to shut down. The crowds began arriving this...
Palestine Action Occupy the Space Adjacent to Leicester’s Israeli Drone Factory
Images are available for free here, with credit to Martin Pope Palestine Action have started their watch on UAV Tactical Systems by setting up a surprise ground camp, catching the Israeli arms manufacturer, its private security, and the police off guard. The...
One week until the siege on Leicester’s Israeli Arms Factory begins
Graphics and videos can be accessed for free via bit.ly/LeicesterSiege From May 1st 2023, Palestine Action will lay siege upon the Leicester-based Israeli arms factory, UAV Tactical Systems, a factory operated by Israel's largest weapons company, Elbit Systems....
Leicester’s Israeli weapons factory issued with eviction notice
Video and image available for free: bit.ly/EvictionNoticeLeicester Activists protesting outside of the UAV Tactical Systems factory in Leicester have issued Elbit with an eviction notice [1] - giving them one month to vacate the drone factory before the...
Palestine Action Declares a Siege on Leicester’s Israeli Arms Factory From May 1st
Graphics and video available for free: bit.ly/LeicesterSiege From May 1st, Palestine Action will lay siege to Leicester's Israeli arms factory, UAV Tactical Systems. The mass action will include hundreds staying put for weeks on end, through day and...
Israeli Drones Factory Shut Down for Second Time in Weeks by Palestine Action
PRESS RELEASE14/04/22FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Palestine Action have descended on Israeli arms company Elbit Systems again in Leicester, home to Elbit subsidiary UAV Tactical Systems. The site produced Hermes/Watchkeeper drones to be sold to the Israeli military for...