Terra Drone Announces Joint Venture Preparation with Ukraine’s Fixed-Wing UAV Manufacturer Besomar and Launch of Reconnaissance Drone 'Terra C1'

Terra Drone Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Tetsu Tokushige; hereinafter 'Terra Drone') has begun preparations, through its subsidiary Terra Inspectioneering, to establish a joint venture (JV) with Besomar, a fixed-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufacturer based in Lviv, Ukraine (hereinafter 'Besomar'), aimed at providing reconnaissance drones. Going forward, the company will collaborate with Besomar to deploy the reconnaissance drone 'Terra C1' and advance the development of a multi-layered unmanned defense solution integrated with interception drones.

Besomar is a Ukrainian company that develops and manufactures unmanned aerial systems, primarily fixed-wing UAVs, for applications including reconnaissance, surveillance, interception, and logistics support. The company focuses on system development emphasizing rapid deployment, long-duration flight, and field maintainability, designed for operation in electronic warfare (EW) environments and locations with limited infrastructure.

This initiative marks Terra Drone’s third collaboration with a Ukrainian defense technology company. By adding fixed-wing UAV-based reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities to its existing portfolio—alongside its previously developed interception drone technologies—the company aims to accelerate the construction of a multi-layered unmanned defense solution that comprehensively supports threat detection, assessment, and response.

Background

Since announcing its entry into the defense equipment market in March 2026, Terra Drone has been expanding its product portfolio and building its business foundation in the defense sector, primarily through its interception drones 'Terra A1' and the fixed-wing interception drone 'Terra A2'.

In the defense domain, threats from low-altitude, low-speed flying drones are increasing. It is no longer sufficient to merely possess interception capabilities; early threat detection, situational awareness, and timely response are now critical. Reconnaissance and surveillance UAVs serve as the 'eyes' for intelligence gathering, and when combined with interception drones, they are expected to enhance the overall effectiveness of defense solutions.

Moreover, demand is rising for unmanned aerial systems that offer mobility, environmental resilience, and cost efficiency, designed for operation in electronic warfare (EW) environments and areas with limited infrastructure. According to MarketsandMarkets, the Tactical UAV market is projected to grow from $5.27 billion in 2025 to $7.86 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. This growth is further driven by increased defense sector investments in ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) capabilities (※1).

Given this landscape, Terra Drone has determined that expanding its defense portfolio beyond interception to include reconnaissance, surveillance, and logistics support is essential for strengthening competitiveness and creating medium- to long-term business opportunities.

※1 MarketsandMarkets “Tactical UAV (Drone) Market by Wing Type, Application, MTOW, Range, and Region - Forecast to 2030”

Purpose of the Joint Venture

The establishment of this JV aims to expand Terra Drone’s product portfolio in the defense sector and strengthen its business foundation in the reconnaissance and surveillance domain.

To date, Terra Drone has focused its investment and business development in the counter-drone defense field on the short-range interception drone 'Terra A1' and the medium-range interception drone 'Terra A2'.

'Terra A2' is positioned as a forward defense layer designed for wide-area coverage, long-duration patrols, and long-range interception. In contrast, 'Terra A1' serves as the final defense layer, designed for rapid launch, immediate interception, short-range response, and base protection, targeting threats that have penetrated close-range defenses.

With the introduction of 'Terra C1', the company will integrate fixed-wing UAV-based reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities into these interception layers, advancing the development of a unified system that supports comprehensive threat management—from early detection and interception to on-site support.

About Terra C1

'Terra C1' is a fixed-wing UAV designed for reconnaissance and surveillance, featuring a 3-hour long-endurance flight, an operational range of 50–110 km, and a 10x optical zoom camera. It is capable of monitoring distant areas during wide-area flights and is engineered to operate in electronic warfare (EW) environments, including GPS-denied conditions. Additionally, 'Terra C1' has a maximum payload capacity of 4 kg, enabling logistics support missions. Besomar’s systems are designed for harsh operational environments, featuring catapult launch, one-button landing, and field maintenance capabilities, supporting rapid deployment and sustained operations in the field.

Overview of Initiatives

### Strengthening Reconnaissance and Surveillance Capabilities

Terra Drone will leverage Besomar’s expertise in fixed-wing UAV development to deploy unmanned aerial systems that support long-duration reconnaissance, wide-area surveillance, and real-time situational awareness. By enhancing reconnaissance and surveillance functions, the company aims to improve early threat detection and mission decision-making, thereby strengthening its value proposition in the defense sector.

### Enhancing Operational Resilience in Electronic Warfare Environments

In modern defense operations, the ability to operate under electronic warfare (EW) conditions—such as GPS jamming and communication interference—is a critical requirement. Terra Drone will utilize Besomar’s locally developed technological expertise and operational experience to deploy UAV systems designed for EW environments. This will enhance the company’s ability to offer unmanned defense assets capable of operating in extreme conditions.

### Strengthening Multi-Layered Unmanned Defense Solutions by Integrating Reconnaissance and Interception

Terra Drone is advancing the development of a 'multi-layered defense' solution by combining the short-range interception drone 'Terra A1' with the medium-range 'Terra A2', enabling flexible response options based on threat range, speed, and approach trajectory.

'Terra A2', a fixed-wing platform, is positioned as a forward defense layer for wide-area coverage, long-duration patrols, and long-range interception. In contrast, 'Terra A1' is positioned as the final defense layer, designed for rapid launch and immediate response to close-range threats. By integrating these two systems, Terra Drone aims to build adaptable defense frameworks tailored to different threat scenarios and operational environments.

With the launch of 'Terra C1', the company will integrate fixed-wing UAV-based reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities into these interception layers, accelerating the development of a comprehensive multi-layered unmanned defense solution that covers threat detection, interception, and on-site support.

By using fixed-wing UAVs for early threat detection, and combining them with the wide-area 'Terra A2' and close-range 'Terra A1' interception drones, Terra Drone aims to build a multi-tiered defense system adaptable to various threat approaches and operational conditions.

※Figure: Multi-layered unmanned defense concept using Terra A1, Terra A2, and Terra C1

Executive Comment

Tetsu Tokushige, President and CEO, Terra Drone Corporation

'Terra Drone is advancing its defense equipment'