The British Army has selected UK-based technology company TEKEVER to supply AR5 surveillance drones under a planned 10-year deal worth up to £400 million.
The new uncrewed aircraft will replace the aging Watchkeeper drones, which have been in service since 2014 and are reaching the end of their operational life. The initial order will comprise six AR5 drones, with up to 24 aircraft to be delivered by 2029.
Designed to carry up to 50 kg of surveillance equipment, including cameras and sensors, the AR5 offers significantly improved endurance, sensor capability and reliability. It will provide commanders with real-time intelligence to help protect troops and inform battlefield decisions. The AR5 has also been used operationally by the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the country’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
The drones will be built at TEKEVER’s soon-to-open manufacturing facility in Swindon. The full contract is expected to sustain and create hundreds of jobs across the company’s UK sites, supporting the country’s defense manufacturing and technology sectors.
Wes Streeting MP, Defence Secretary, commented, “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. This investment will support our troops on deployment, while driving re-industrialisation and backing British innovation.”
Karl Brew, TEKEVER UK Managing Director, added, “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. 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.”
Subject to contract signature and final approvals, the new capability is expected to begin entering service later in 2026, with support provided for at least five years and options to extend.
