New Advanced Drone Fleet to Enhance British Army Capabilities and Boost UK Manufacturing Jobs

• New Tekever AR5 surveillance drones have been selected to enhance British troop safety through continuous, round-the-clock intelligence gathering.

• A deal valued at up to £400 million is set to support employment at Tekever’s UK facilities, strengthening the nation’s defense manufacturing sector.

• This investment supports the re-industrialization of the UK, bolstering national security and fostering economic growth.

British soldiers are set to benefit from increased protection and enhanced battlefield effectiveness following a major investment of up to £400 million in cutting-edge drone technology.

These advanced drones can carry surveillance payloads of up to 50kg—including high-tech cameras and sensors—and offer extended flight durations compared to previous models. This capability will provide commanders with the real-time intelligence necessary to protect personnel and make informed tactical decisions.

The initial procurement involves six AR5 drones, with the total fleet potentially expanding to 24 units by 2029.

The AR5 has been selected to replace the aging Watchkeeper system under a 10-year contract valued at up to £400 million. Manufacturing for the new drones will take place at Tekever’s upcoming facility in Swindon.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting MP said:

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.

The Watchkeeper system, which has been in service since 2014, is approaching the end of its operational lifespan. The new AR5 provides superior endurance, sensor capabilities, and reliability, ensuring the Army maintains a decisive advantage in surveillance and reconnaissance. Notably, the AR5 technology has already demonstrated its utility on the battlefield with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The full contract is expected to sustain and create hundreds of jobs across Tekever’s UK sites, reinforcing the vital role of the defense sector within the UK’s expanding technology economy. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to using defense as a driver for economic growth and industrial re-industrialization.

Tekever UK’s Managing Director Karl Brew 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.

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.

Pending final approvals and contract signatures, the new capability is expected to enter service later this year, with sustained support guaranteed for at least five years and options for further extension.

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