UK Buys Ukraine-Tested AR5 Reconnaissance Drones From Tekever

The British Army will receive new AR5 reconnaissance drones to replace its aging Watchkeeper systems.

The UK Ministry of Defence reported the purchase.

Under a deal worth up to £400 million over 10 years, the initial order includes six AR5 drones, with an option to increase the number to 24 units by 2029.

The AR5 is a Portuguese-British medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial system developed by Tekever for maritime and ground surveillance missions, search-and-rescue operations and patrol missions.

The AR5 drone family was developed in the 2010s for civilian and military monitoring of extensive border areas, including missions carried out for the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

The drone uses a conventional aircraft design and can carry up to 50 kilograms of payload, including electro-optical systems, radars and sensors. It has also undergone combat testing in Ukraine during efforts to repel Russian aggression.

The new systems are expected to begin trials and enter service by the end of this year, while production is being established at the company’s new factory in Swindon.