Twist Robotics and Danish Vidar Industries to launch joint production of Saker drones

Ukrainian defence tech company Twist Robotics has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture with Danish company Vidar Industries. The venture will produce drones from the Saker line for the European market: Scout, Hetman and Hunter, developed by the Ukrainian company.

The venture will be based in Denmark and is expected to produce 12,000 drones in its first year. Volumes may be increased further depending on demand. Production is expected to begin within 3–6 months, Twist Robotics said in response to a Defender Media enquiry. The amount of investment in the launch has not yet been disclosed.

The companies are currently planning production processes, regulatory matters and preparing industrial capacities. “Licensing of production in Denmark is being considered as the main option. Obtaining an export licence may also be considered,” Twist Robotics added. The company explained that the final mechanism will be determined at a later date.

Under this partnership, Twist Robotics will be responsible for technological and product development and the implementation of innovations in Ukraine, while Vidar Industries will oversee production, quality control, scaling and other areas.

Twist Robotics was founded in 2021. Its key products include the Saker UAV, the Obriy UAV mission simulator and the Oscar visual navigation module, which are used in combat conditions. The Saker line includes the following drones:

• Scout – a modular platform for relay, reconnaissance, strike operations and electronic warfare. It can remain airborne for up to 45 minutes, has day and night optical stabilisation, supports autonomous GPS-free navigation, automatic return and landing, and remote control via the internet.
• Hunter – a fixed-wing drone that can also perform various types of tasks and operate without GPS. It has a range of up to 100 km, a flight duration of up to 70 minutes and carries a payload of up to 5 kg.
• Hetman – a strike FPV drone with a digital video channel, its own Stezhka communication system and the Cyclop terminal guidance module. Its range is up to 20 km, and its payload weight is up to 3 kg.