“Skyports Drone Services, Quantum Systems Sign MOU to Launch New Drone Surveillance Service – Overwatch”
UK-based Skyports Drone Services, a leader in drone-enabled delivery and inspection, and Quantum Systems, an AI-powered unmanned intelligence solutions company, announced this week at DSEI UK 2025, a partnership via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), to launch ‘Overwatch’, a ready-to-deploy ISR-as-a-service offering for government and commercial customers, reports a press release.
Under this collaboration, Quantum is to supply its advanced drone platforms and payloads, while Skyports provides the operational layer including regulatory approvals, flight operations and mission delivery. This will enable customers to access mission results without the need to invest significant upfront capital.
Alex Brown, Director of Skyports Drone Services, commented, “We’re seeing real demand from major organisations for drone surveillance. Whether it is for environmental monitoring or asset inspection, security and air quality.”
He continued, “With Overwatch, we can deliver these benefits as a turnkey solution, giving clients trusted intelligence when and where they need it.”
Adding, “Confidence in aircraft performance is paramount, and Quantum’s exceptional systems give us the reliability and capability to add real value to our operations and to customers’ decision-making.”
Signing the deal
The release explains, “The service is designed for high-value use cases, including maritime surveillance, border control, linear asset inspection and pollution monitoring. Compared to traditional helicopter operations, drones provide intelligence faster, more cost-effectively and with a lower carbon footprint, while being deployable remotely and at short notice.”
With current geopolitical tensions, European governments are recognising the importance of being able to gather surveillance data quickly. Overwatch offers a capex-light model that can be mobilised immediately, while delivering capability where it is needed most.
Martin Karkour, Chief Revenue Officer of Quantum Systems remarked, “This partnership strengthens our UK presence by leveraging the country’s capabilities and infrastructure to deliver superior unmanned intelligence solutions.”
Meanwhile, Quantum’s major investor, technology entrepreneur and venture capitalist, Peter Thiel, is set to invest UKP43 million in UK defence operations during the next five years, following the acquisition of Nordic Unmanned UK.
Collaborating with Skyports via Quantum, underscores his ambition to strengthen a foothold in the UK’s security ecosystem by funding infrastructure, local engineering, maintenance, repair operations and partnerships with various British providers.
Peter Thiel
The investment comes as the race to dominate the AI-powered defence drone market intensifies. Rival European tech unicorn, Helsing, has already raised EUR1.5 billion to date and is currently valued at around EUR13 billion.
Quantum is also planning to develop training and test infrastructure, fostering local engineering skills and generating new jobs.
This aligns with the UK’s Ministry of Defence’s 20-40-40 strategy, which envisions 20 percent crewed platforms, directing 40 percent reusable systems like drones, and 40 percent expendable systems such as missiles.
The release concludes, “Skyports has already begun operating Quantum Systems’ Vector AI drone, conducting trial and training flights ahead of anticipated operations across the EMEA region. The service will be offered globally, leveraging the company’s existing operational footprint.”
For more information
(Top image: Martin Karkour, Alex Brown shake hands on the partnership)
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