Arkeus Adds a UK Workshop for the Sensor It Already Flew in Europe
Arkeus and Tanglewood Group will build and sustain the Warden hyperspectral sensor in Malvern, England. The Melbourne startup already sells to the Australian Army and the US Department of War, and flew Warden in Europe last November. It still has no British customer.
Warden flew on a European tactical drone last November. What Arkeus lacked in Britain was somewhere to build, integrate and sustain it.
Arkeus and Tanglewood Group will set up a joint manufacturing, engineering and customer support site in Malvern, England, the two companies announced Sept. 8. The site covers manufacturing, integration, sustainment and training for Arkeus' Warden hyperspectral sensor, aimed at customers in the UK, NATO and the European Union. Neither company disclosed a value, an opening date or a headcount. No customer order attaches to the announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Arkeus and Tanglewood Group announce?
An expanded strategic partnership and a joint manufacturing, engineering and customer support capability in Malvern, England, announced Sept. 8, 2026. It is to provide localised manufacturing, integration, sustainment and through-life support for Arkeus' autonomous perception systems, including the Warden sensor, for UK, NATO and European Union customers.
How much is the partnership worth?
Neither company disclosed a contract value, an investment figure, an opening date, a headcount or a production rate for the Malvern site. No customer order was announced alongside it.
What is Warden?
Arkeus' wide-area hyperspectral sensor for tactical uncrewed aircraft. It combines hyperspectral sensing with onboard AI to detect, recognise and track objects across land, sea and littoral environments, operates day and night, and is fully passive. Arkeus says it detects at up to eight times the range of standard optical systems in degraded visibility.
Does Arkeus have military customers already?
Yes, but not in Britain. The Australian Army selected its Hyperspectral Optical Radar for the Wide Area Airborne Surveillance program in November 2025 following a global competition, for the Insitu Integrator tactical fleet. In January 2026 Arkeus secured a US contract to deliver Warden sensors for the Resolute ISR Resolute Eagle, in support of US Department of War operations.
Has Warden flown in Europe?
Yes. TEKEVER and Arkeus completed integration and flight testing of Warden on TEKEVER's AR3 EVO tactical uncrewed aerial system at Lisbon in November 2025. The companies described it as the first flight of the Warden sensor in Europe. No European order has been disclosed.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.