Elbit Systems and Sagem Defense Securite have signed a memorandum of agreement to establish a new joint venture to promote tactical unmanned aircraft systems.
To be operational by early 2011 and based in Eragny and Montluçon in France, the new entity will market unmanned systems to the French armed forces and other selected countries that may not wish to purchase such equipment directly from an Israeli company.
The new venture's portfolio will comprise new products and current and derivative systems now offered by the partner companies.
An Elbit source says the joint venture will offer potential clients all of its unmanned air vehicles that have received export licences from the Israeli defence ministry.
Elbit says it remains fully committed to also furthering the activities of its U-Tacs joint venture with Thales UK. Based in Leicester, this is responsible for delivering the British Army's new Watchkeeper tactical UAV programme. U-Tacs is also attempting to promote the Watchkeeper system for French use.
Source: Flight International
