Lyon, France — In a significant development for tactical aerial operations, Elistair has officially unveiled a dedicated tethered air module designed specifically for the Parrot ANAFI UKR micro-UAV. Announced on October 21, 2026, the newly introduced system is engineered to integrate seamlessly with Elistair’s established Safe-T and Ligh-T tether stations. By bridging the gap between a trusted tactical drone and continuous power delivery, the collaboration aims to provide defense forces, public safety agencies, and critical infrastructure operators with hours of uninterrupted flight for vital intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Designed by Lyon-based Elistair—a recognized specialist in tethered drone technology—the system addresses one of the primary limitations of modern micro-unmanned aerial vehicles: battery endurance. While micro-UAVs are prized for their portability and rapid deployment, their standard flight times are typically restricted to thirty to forty minutes before requiring a battery swap. The new tethered air module changes this dynamic entirely, allowing the ANAFI UKR to maintain a persistent aerial presence without ever needing to touch the ground for recharging.
The combination of the Parrot ANAFI UKR and Elistair’s tethered ground stations forms a comprehensive, turnkey ISR solution tailored for demanding environments. Primary use cases for the integrated platform include force protection, perimeter monitoring, border surveillance, event security, and real-time emergency response support. The rollout follows Parrot’s initial introduction of the ANAFI UKR platform, which debuted at the 2025 Paris Air Show to cater specifically to professional defense and security markets. With orders for the new module now officially open, operators can begin integrating the capability into their existing tactical fleets.
How the ANAFI UKR Tethered Module Works
The mechanics behind the new capability rely on a specialized, dedicated air module that physically and electronically links the Parrot ANAFI UKR to either an Elistair Safe-T or Ligh-T tether station. Through a micro-tether, the ground station continuously supplies power directly to the drone, bypassing the constraints of onboard batteries. This constant energy feed unlocks hours of persistent overwatch, transforming a short-range tactical scout into a stationary or slowly mobile elevated observation post.
Despite the addition of tethered infrastructure, the system retains the rapid deployment characteristics that field operators demand. According to Elistair, the complete setup is ready to fly in under two minutes, preserving the portability and operational simplicity that make micro-UAVs so valuable during rapidly evolving incidents.
Guilhem de Marliave, chief executive of Elistair, emphasized the strategic value of the integration for the company’s core user base. "With this new solution, we bring the endurance of tethered operations to a drone that our defense and public safety customers already trust," he noted, highlighting the synergy between the two hardware platforms.
Parrot executives similarly framed the hardware integration as a natural evolution of the ANAFI UKR ecosystem. Chris Roberts, senior vice president and chief revenue officer of Parrot, underscored the company’s ongoing dedication to field-proven technologies. "At Parrot, we are committed to providing defense, public safety and critical infrastructure operators with resilient, field-proven aerial solutions that meet the demands of real-world missions," Roberts stated.
He further elaborated on how the partnership enhances operational versatility while maintaining security standards. "Elistair’s new tethered solution expands the operational capabilities of the ANAFI UKR by enabling persistent aerial surveillance while preserving the portability, ease of deployment and secure architecture our customers rely on. This collaboration illustrates the strength of our ecosystem and our shared commitment to delivering mission-critical intelligence when and where it matters most."
Elistair’s Tethered Drone Track Record
The release of the ANAFI UKR module builds upon a substantial foundation of industry experience. Over the past decade, Elistair has established itself as a global leader in tethered drone technology, with security forces deploying more than 2,000 of the company’s tethered stations worldwide. Elistair products are currently utilized by armed forces, law enforcement agencies, civil security bodies, and private security contractors across more than 70 countries.
Operating from corporate and manufacturing hubs in both France and North Carolina, Elistair continues to expand its technological footprint across multiple domains. Earlier in 2026, the company partnered with Exail to introduce tethered drone maritime surveillance capabilities to autonomous vessels, demonstrating its adaptability to naval and maritime security environments.
Meanwhile, Parrot maintains a distinct manufacturing and design footprint tailored to the stringent security requirements of Western defense and enterprise markets. Headquartered in Paris, France, Parrot designs its ANAFI range of micro-UAVs within Europe while executing manufacturing processes in the United States and South Korea. Parrot is also the parent company of Pix4D, a well-known developer of advanced photogrammetry and geospatial software, further anchoring its position in the broader commercial and defense geospatial ecosystem.
With orders for the new ANAFI UKR tethered module now open, operators looking to upgrade their persistent surveillance capabilities can access further technical documentation and purchasing details directly through Elistair’s official web platform.
