The British Army has chosen Tekever’s AR5 surveillance drone, combat-proven in Ukraine, to replace its aging Watchkeeper drone fleet under a potential 400-million-pound ($533-million) investment.
The aircraft can carry up to 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of surveillance equipment, including cameras and sensors, while offering greater endurance than the Watchkeeper. Designed to provide commanders with real-time intelligence, it will support troop protection and battlefield decision-making.
Having entered service in 2014, the Thales Watchkeeper WK450 is nearing the end of its operational life. The AR5’s improved sensor capabilities and enhanced reliability will help the British Army maintain an edge in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.
“Proven in Ukraine and designed to protect British soldiers globally, we’ve chosen the UK-based Tekever AR5 drone to supply our personnel with kit that will keep them ahead of emerging threats,” UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said.
“This investment will support our troops on deployment, while driving re-industrialisation and backing British innovation.”
Delivery Timeline
The initial order covers six AR5 drones, with up to 24 expected to be delivered by 2029.
Subject to contract signature and final approvals, the aircraft will be built at Tekever’s planned manufacturing facility in Swindon, supporting hundreds of skilled jobs across the company’s UK operations.
The new capability is expected to begin entering service later this year, the Lisbon-based aerospace firm said.
“CORVUS represents a major step change in delivering cutting-edge autonomy to the British Army. This isn’t about a platform; it’s about building and sustaining sovereign capability that stays one step ahead of our adversaries,” Managing Director of Tekever UK Karl Brew said.
“Through CORVUS, Tekever aims to create a new type of partnership between government and industry where we will ensure a constant cycle of capability evolution that delivers decisive advantage to our end users.”
About AR5
The AR5 is a medium-altitude, medium-endurance fixed-wing unmanned aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
It can remain airborne for up to 20 hours, depending on the payload, and operate beyond line of sight via satellite communications, enabling long-range missions over land and sea.
The platform supports electro-optical/infrared cameras, synthetic aperture radar, signals intelligence and electronic intelligence sensors, as well as communication relay systems.
It can also operate from short, unprepared airstrips using automatic takeoff and landing and is designed to function in GPS-denied and electronically contested environments.
