Lima 2023: Sypaq UAS generating APAC interest after use in Ukraine

Sypaq's Corvo PPDS UAS is shipped in compact form for assembly by the user. The company said this allows it ship the UAS in bulk. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

The Australian company Sypaq has reported a surge in interest within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) in its “cardboard” unmanned aerial systems (UASs) after their use in Ukraine.

The lightweight and small battlefield logistics aircraft is called the Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS). Sypaq told Janes that the aircraft is being used in various applications such as the deployment of a sensor payload, ability to deliver small cargo such as rations, act as an extended communications airborne relay, and serve as a decoy.

“Hundreds of the UASs have been sold to Ukraine,” said Ross Osborne, chief engineer at Sypaq. Osborne was speaking to Janes during the 16th edition of the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2023 being held from 23 to 26 May.

Janes understands that deliveries to Ukraine began in February–March 2023. Sypaq added that it could not disclose the number of UASs supplied to Ukraine for security reasons.

The UAS's sale to Ukraine was revealed by Australian Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles at Australia's Avalon Airshow on 3 March.

According to Amanda Holt, CEO of Sypaq, this created a surge of interest in the aircraft from both military and civilian entities across the APAC region and the world at large. “Operators are using the UAS for many types of novel applications beyond its original design,”Holt said.

Holt added that the company could not yet disclose which countries in the APAC region have expressed interest in the UAS.