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Ukrainian Raybird UAV Marketed to British Military Via New Joint Venture

Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system / Photo credit: Skyet
Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system / Photo credit: Skyet

To promote its Raybird UAV for the UK military, Ukraine’s Skyeton teamed up with Britain’s Prevail Partners to launch local production

Ukrainian UAV manufacturer Skyeton and UK defense firm Prevail Partners have announced the creation of a joint venture aimed at promoting the Raybird UAV for procurement by the British Armed Forces.

The partnership, revealed in a communiqué on July 2 and reported by Janes, is expected to significantly boost the production of the combat-proven system.

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Ukrainian Raybird Drone Marketed to British Military Through New Joint Venture, Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system
Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system / Photo credit: Skyeton

According to the announcement, Skyeton will contribute its field-tested and continuously upgraded Raybird UAV platform, while Prevail Partners will be responsible for adapting the system to British operational standards and providing local manufacturing capabilities. This strongly suggests plans to produce the drone on UK soil — a move that could both enhance its appeal for British defense procurement and bypass export restrictions related to military goods from Ukraine.

The Raybird UAV, also known as Raybird-3 or ACS-3, has been under development since 2014 and was officially adopted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces in 2016. It gained national attention in 2019 for setting a record in flight endurance, and by February 2025 had accumulated over 300,000 operational flight hours.

Ukrainian Raybird Drone Marketed to British Military Through New Joint Venture, Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system
Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system / Photo credit: Skyeton

Capable of covering distances up to 2,500 km (with a 220 km control range), the Raybird typically performs 8–14-hour missions in combat conditions. On average, each UAV completes around 40 missions.

The platform is continually modernized — including the integration of a new signals intelligence payload — and receives about 40 updates per year based on real battlefield feedback.

Ukrainian Raybird Drone Marketed to British Military Through New Joint Venture, Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system
Raybird-3 UAV equipped with an electromagnetic spectrum monitoring system / Photo credit: Skyeton

The drone can carry a payload of 5 kg while weighing 22 kg in total. Notably, over 80% of its components are produced in Ukraine, offering significant strategic autonomy and supply chain security.

The launch of this joint venture marks a major step for the Raybird UAV's entry into the global arms market. It also aligns well with the UK Armed Forces’ evolving doctrine, which emphasizes greater reliance on unmanned systems for future operations.

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