SYOS Aerospace has been awarded an NZDF contract for multi-domain autonomous vehicles, structured experimentation and capability development.
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Press Release, Fareham / Tauranga, 26 February 2026: SYOS, a world-leading manufacturer of uncrewed autonomous platforms and vehicles, has today announced an agreement to supply the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) with a portfolio of air, land and sea products and services.
The contract will see the UK-NZ company provide multi-domain uncrewed autonomous platforms to support the NZDF’s modernisation and capability development priorities. It includes specialist services to the NZDF Capability Branch to enable advanced testing and capability through “structured experimentation, evaluation, and development to advance uncrewed systems capability.”
In addition, the agreement also includes technical services, training, and operational support to ensure NZDF personnel are equipped to integrate, operate and evaluate emerging technologies effectively.
Products to be supplied will include:
- Sea: SM300 boats, multi-role maritime autonomy – persistent capability and long-range endurance
- Air: SA2 autonomous heavy-lift mini-copter used for advanced tactical ISR ; SA7 one-way effector drone delivering high impact payload performance and operational assurance
- Land: SG400 uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV), offer resilient, precise ground autonomy – heavy-duty performance and reliability in the toughest terrains
SYOS CEO and founder Sam Vye said, “We’re delighted to support the New Zealand Defence Force and are well-positioned to support its strategic priorities. Our platforms and systems have been proven in some of the world’s most demanding environments, and we’re proud to bring that experience to New Zealand’s capability development.
“We deliver advanced uncrewed autonomy solutions across air, land, sea and subsurface domains—engineered for missions where reliability and performance are critical. Our expertise in hardware, uncrewed technologies, and AI-enabled autonomy ensures we can provide scalable, affordable, mission-ready solutions that deliver real operational advantage.”
He added, “The NZDF’s programme of structured experimentation aligns strongly with how we operate – working shoulder to shoulder with customers and end users to develop solutions that move beyond traditional approaches, to tackle complex, real-world challenges. We are committed to contributing to the growth of New Zealand’s defence-technology ecosystem.”
SYOS was set up in 2021 and is a joint UK-NZ business. It has R&D and production facilities in both countries, with its maritime headquarters in Fareham, Portsmouth in the UK, and its aviation base in Mount Manganui, in North Island, New Zealand. It maintains an operational and support presence in Ukraine. Last month the UK’s Ministry of Defence named SYOS as one of seven firms to advance to the next stage of Project NYX, a project to develop ‘wingman drones’ for the British Army’s Apache attack helicopters.
Making the announcement New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins said: “Having cutting-edge drone technology developed and supported by local businesses will reduce supply chain risk and strengthen our resilience – exactly what the strategy is designed for.
“In an increasingly contested world, we’re building the future by equipping our Defence Force with innovative Kiwi products to keep our people safe.”
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