Schiebel Group Pours Into British Defence Market With Establishment Of New Uk Base

Schiebel Group, a leading provider of Unmanned Air Systems (UAS), has taken a significant step towards expanding its presence in the British defence market by establishing a dedicated UK legal entity. This move will serve as a foundation for growing its operations and delivering innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the UK Defence sector.

The decision follows the successful collaboration with Thales UK on the Peregrine Rotary Wing Uncrewed Aerial System (RWUAS). The Peregrine, based on the CAMCOPTER S-100 design, has been successfully fielded by the Royal Navy, providing persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability in demanding maritime environments. This programme is expected to expand as operational requirements evolve, with Schiebel UK poised to play a key role in delivering this growing demand.

The partnership with Thales UK remains central to Schiebel’s strategy in the UK market. By combining Thales’ expertise as a system integrator and sensor provider with Schiebel’s experience in rotary wing UAS, the company is well-positioned to deliver comprehensive solutions that meet the complex requirements of UK land and joint-domain programmes.

One key programme identified by Schiebel as a significant growth opportunity is the UK Land Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) programme. This programme aims to develop autonomous platforms that can work together with human soldiers to achieve complex tasks, and Schiebel sees significant potential for its rotary wing UAS technology to support this initiative.

The company’s plans to bring the larger CAMCOPTER S-300 to the UK market are also expected to drive growth in the region. This platform builds upon the S-100 design but offers increased endurance and payload capacity, making it an attractive solution for extended-range ISR and future collaborative operations.

Establishing a dedicated UK entity will enable Schiebel to provide a stronger foundation for in-country manufacturing, assembly, and rapid capability enhancement. This structure will allow the company to offer closer support of national programmes and align with UK industrial participation and sovereign capability objectives.

“The United Kingdom is a strategically important market for Schiebel,” said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group. “The operational success of Peregrine with the Royal Navy demonstrates the maturity and reliability of our technology. By establishing Schiebel UK, we are reinforcing our long-term commitment to supporting UK defence requirements with proven, adaptable, and future-ready uncrewed capability.”

Schiebel’s decision to establish a dedicated UK entity is part of a broader regional growth strategy that aims to expand its operations in key markets across Europe and North America. The company has already established a presence in several countries, including Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, and Poland.

In addition to existing partnerships with Thales UK and other major defence contractors, Schiebel is working closely with smaller companies and startups to develop innovative solutions that meet emerging market needs. Establishing a dedicated UK entity will build on these relationships and offer a more comprehensive range of services to UK defence customers.

The creation of new job opportunities in the UK is also expected as a result of Schiebel’s expansion, supporting the growth of the country’s UAS industry. The company has begun recruiting personnel for its new UK-based operations, with plans to hire engineers, technicians, and other professionals who will deliver Schiebel’s innovative solutions to the UK defence sector.

As the UK Defence sector continues to evolve and adapt to emerging threats and technologies, Schiebel is well-positioned to play a key role in supporting national requirements. By establishing a dedicated UK entity, the company can build on its existing strengths and expertise while embracing new opportunities for growth and innovation.

With its commitment to delivering cutting-edge UAS solutions, Schiebel is poised to establish itself as a major player in the UK Defence sector. As the company continues to expand its operations in the region, it will closely monitor the relevance and effectiveness of its technology in meeting evolving needs of UK defence customers.

Schiebel’s decision marks an important milestone in the company’s regional growth strategy, providing a stronger foundation for in-country manufacturing, assembly, and rapid capability enhancement. This structure enables the company to offer closer support of national programmes and align with UK industrial participation and sovereign capability objectives, cementing its long-term commitment to supporting UK defence requirements.

Original Source

• Read the full article here