A European drone that supported Ukraine in destroying billions of dollars\u2019 worth of Russian military assets, including the advanced S-400 air defense system, could soon be made in Taiwan under a new defense partnership.<\/p>\n
Portugal-based Tekever, a leading provider of AI-driven autonomous systems, announced a partnership with Taiwan\u2019s Apex Aviation during the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition held from September 18 to 20.<\/p>\n
Central to the agreement is the potential local production of Tekever\u2019s AR3 drone, which has been widely deployed in Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The AR3, a medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with modular payload options including synthetic aperture radar and infrared sensors, has logged over 10,000 flight hours in combat operations, according to Tekever.<\/p>\n
Scott McClelland, Tekever\u2019s deputy defense director, told Interesting Engineering during the exhibition that the drone has \u201csupported Ukraine in the destruction of nearly $2.5 billion in Russian assets, including an S-400 air defense system.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The model is also in service with the UK military for electronic warfare missions.<\/p>\n
AR3 drone<\/p>\n
The AR3 drone is designed as a compact fixed-wing system for endurance and flexibility in maritime and land missions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It can stay aloft for up to 16 hours and comes with an optional beyond-line-of-sight datalink, making it well-suited for extended operations such as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), border protection, artillery fire correction, and infrastructure monitoring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The system is catapult-launched, easy to assemble, and requires minimal logistical support.<\/p>\n
Operators can equip the drone with various<\/a> payloads, including electro-optical and infrared sensors, laser illuminators, and communications relay systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n For added versatility, the AR3 is also available as a hot-swappable vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) variant, which reduces the need for ground equipment and expands deployment options.\u00a0<\/p>\n The VTOL version includes an integrated synthetic aperture radar payload, allowing it to operate effectively in poor weather or at night.<\/p>\n In terms of specifications, the fixed-wing AR3 measures 3.5 meters in length and 1.7 meters in width, with a maximum takeoff weight of 23 kilograms (50 pounds) and a payload capacity of 4 kilograms (9 pounds).\u00a0<\/p>\n It cruises around 85 kilometers per hour (53 mph) and can fly up to 16 hours. The VTOL configuration is slightly larger at 3.5 by 1.9 meters, with a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kilograms (55 pounds).\u00a0<\/p>\n It offers the same 4-kilogram payload capacity, cruises between 75 and 90 kilometers per hour (47 and 55 mph), and delivers an endurance of around eight hours.<\/p>\n Manned-unmanned teaming<\/p>\n For Taiwan, Apex said the agreement marks a major step toward building the island\u2019s first manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) framework, pairing Tekever\u2019s drones with Apex\u2019s manned aircraft developed under its Goshawk Project.\u00a0<\/p>\n The goal, the company said, is to enhance real-time decision-making while reducing risks during gray zone and maritime security operations.<\/p>\n \u201cBy integrating Tekever\u2019s proven UAS expertise and AI-driven platforms with our experience in manned aviation and system integration, we are advancing manned-unmanned teaming and shaping a more resilient defense ecosystem in Taiwan,\u201d said Apex Chairman Wilson Kao.<\/p>\n