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
Palestine Action return to Leicester: Elbit’s drone factory is occupied and out of action
IPRESS RELEASE28/03/22FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Palestine Action returns to Leicester, the site of Elbit System's UAV Tactical Systems drone factory, vowing not to leave until Elbit is shut down for good.A large group of activists broke into the site at 6:30...
Three activists arrested after blockading drone factory
Palestine Action activists have been arrested after blockading the entrances to the Elbit UAV Tactical Systems drone factory in Leicester, having locked themselves to gatesThe factory - used to produce Israel's Hermes combat and surveillance drones - was targetted by...
Activists Arrested, Leicester Community’s Direct Action Prevents Removal
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE24/05/21 - Two Palestine Action activists on roof of Elbit Systems factory arrested as police close in on site- Local community continue to support and collective solidarity with the factory occupation, with police attempts to arrest...
Occupation of Elbit’s Leicester Factory Continues into Second Day, Community Turns Out in Support
The Palestine Action occupation of the Elbit drone factory in Leicester continues into its second day, with the Elbit-Thales UAV Tactical Systems site having been shut down since 5:30am on Wednesday 19th May. The site has been barricaded, with premises vandalised,...
Fire Brigades Union Refuses to Remove Protesters From Israeli Arms Factory – Occupation Continues
Leicester Fire Brigades Union Chair Graham Vaux has released an official statment following the FBU's refusal to cooperate in police operation to remove Palestine Action activists from the roof of Elbit's UAV Tactical Systems factory in Leicester The Fire Brigade were...
Palestine Action Occupies Elbit Factory in Leicester, Disrupting Israel’s Arms Production
Palestine Action have occupied Elbit's factory, UAV Tactical Systems in Leicester and chained the gates shut, disrupting Elbit's production of arms and military technology. Activists have taken direct action in response to Elbit's funelling of arms to the Israeli...