DSEI 2025: Ukrainian drone aimed at British Army Watchkeeper replacement programme
The Raybird system comprises at least three UAVs alongside supporting equipment including a GCS, a catapult launcher and transport containers. (Photo: Author)
Skyeton Prevail Solutions, a Ukrainian and British JV, has designed its Raybird UAV to meet the needs of defence, civilian and industrial industries.
Speaking to journalists at DSEI 2025, Justin Hedges OBE, executive chairman of UK-based Prevail Partners, confirmed that Skyeton Prevail Solutions would offer the Raybird uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) to the UK’s Project Corvus.
As confirmed by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation in April 2025, Corvus is the initiative to replace the Watchkeeper, with the MoD valuing the project at £156 million (US$206.45 million) with estimated contract award dates in May 2026 to April 2031.
Prevail Partners and the Ukrainian company Skyeton International announced their joint venture (JV) in July this year, called Skyeton Prevail Solutions, which would develop
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