UMS Skeldar and 3F Advanced Systems will Jointly Market in India
UMS Skeldar, the joint venture between Saab and UMS Aero, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 3F Advanced Systems, a company of the Indian 3F Group, to showcase the SKELDAR V-200 rotary-wing UAV at the Aero India exhibition in Bangalore. The UAV will give its first live demonstration at the show later this month.
The first collaboration of its kind on the subcontinent, the agreement also marks the launch of 3F’s foray into the ‘Make in India’ market. SKELDAR V-200 is unique in the VTOL space due to its double payload capacity and ability to run on heavy fuel, making it the ideal platform for maritime and naval operations as well as military and civilian activities. Flexible and highly versatile, the system is multi-role meaning it can perform a wide range of applications including reconnaissance, identification, target acquisition and electronic warfare. Additionally, the drone is deployable with a number of COTS high resolution EO/IR, SAR and EW sensors.
“Our unique partnership with 3F Advanced Systems cements our business model of forming strategic relationships with key stakeholders across the world. The SKELDAR V-200, which is powered by proven Saab technology, is a truly unmatched and versatile platform as demonstrated within such deployments as the Meteoro counter piracy patrols in the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor, meaning it is becoming the ‘go to’ UAV for intelligence gathering. This will be demonstrated at Aero India as part of our wider strategic technological development programme,” said Jakob Baumann, CEO of UMS Skeldar.
Ashiis Goenka, Managing Director of 3F Advanced Systems, added: “The applications for UAVs are increasing rapidly among India’s armed forces, central and state police forces as well as among private sector organisations, which are all beginning to realise the immense utility and efficacy of UAVs. As part of the country’s Make in India programme, we have a strategic requirement to provide this expanding marketplace with a best in class range of UAV platforms that can not only gather the required intelligence quickly and efficiently, but also be a cost-effective alternative to the manned aircraft and crews currently used. This is what we have gained thanks to the partnership with UMS Skeldar.”