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September 15.2025

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TEKEVER and QinetiQ’s Strategic Partnership: Advancing UAS Development Under DroneWorks

Businessmen handshake at TEKEVER QinetiQ UAS Development event.

TEKEVER and QinetiQ Forge Strategic Partnership to Elevate UAS Development

In a significant step towards advancing unmanned aerial systems (UAS), TEKEVER and QinetiQ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets a new benchmark in the UK’s defense landscape. This collaboration not only merges TEKEVER’s battle-tested operational platforms with QinetiQ’s state-of-the-art Test and Evaluation (T&E) facilities, but also aims to create a UAS Centre of Excellence.

The Importance of the MoU

The partnership aims to accelerate the development, testing, and implementation of next-generation UAS capabilities for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). TEKEVER’s AI-powered drones, such as the AR3 EVO, combined with QinetiQ’s T&E expertise, promise to enhance the operational readiness and effectiveness of unmanned systems deployed in various missions.

Industry Leaders Speak Out

“This agreement marks an important step in strengthening the UK’s ability to test, evaluate and deploy next-generation uncrewed systems at pace,” remarked Ricardo Mendes, CEO of TEKEVER. His statement reflects a growing trend in defense collaborations, where leveraging joint expertise is essential to meet evolving security threats.

Likewise, Simon Galt, Managing Director at QinetiQ, emphasized the ambitions of the DroneWorks initiative. “Our commitment to shaping the future of UAS is strengthened through this collaboration, enabling us to deliver breakthrough capabilities quickly to our clients,” he said.

The Bigger Picture: Sovereignty and Scalability

The MoU aligns with broader UK defense strategies that emphasize sovereignty and speed in developing military capabilities. Both companies are committed to creating scalable solutions that are mission-ready and contribute to a resilient defense ecosystem, as outlined in the 2025 Defense Command Paper.

Future Opportunities in UAS Technology

Given the rapid technological advancements in drones, this partnership signals exciting future opportunities. As industries worldwide adopt UAS for various applications—from military operations to disaster response—the collaboration between TEKEVER and QinetiQ will likely position the UK as a leader in drone technology.

A Call to Explore New Avenues

Engaging in partnerships like that of TEKEVER and QinetiQ is crucial for understanding and shaping the future landscape of UAS technology. Whether you’re a drone enthusiast, an industry professional, or just tech-curious, keep an eye on these developments that are not only transforming defense capabilities but opening up new horizons for innovation in various sectors.

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