New Tekever AR5 drones to equip British Army and back defence jobs

British Army soldiers will be better protected and more lethal on the battlefield as a new investment of up to £400 million will see them equipped with the latest drone technology.

Under Project Corvus, the National Armaments Director Group has selected Tekever’s AR5 to replace the intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability currently provided by Watchkeeper.

The new drones will be able to carry up to 50kg in surveillance equipment, such as cameras and sensors, and can fly for longer than previous systems the Army has used, giving commanders real-time intelligence to protect troops and inform battlefield decisions. The AR5 drones will be built at Tekever’s new facility in Swindon, with up to 24 delivered by 2029. 

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.”

Watchkeeper, in service since 2014, is reaching the end of its operational life. The new AR5 offers significantly improved endurance, sensor capability and reliability, ensuring that the Army maintains a battle-winning edge in surveillance and reconnaissance systems. The drone has already been used by Ukraine’s Armed Forces on the battlefield, as they continue their fight against Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

Brigadier Matt Birch, the Army’s Senior Responsible Owner for CORVUS, said:

“The conclusion of the CORVUS competition marks an important milestone in delivering the Army’s future, battle-winning Land Tactical Deep Find capability. We now have a clear path to move forward at pace, replacing Watchkeeper with a modern capability that reflects the demands of contemporary warfare.

“I am grateful to all industry partners who have engaged throughout the process and look forward to working closely with the selected supplier, Tekever, as we progress towards contract award and delivery.”

The full contract will sustain and create hundreds of jobs at Tekever’s UK sites, reinforcing defence’s important role in the UK’s growing defence and technology sector. It reflects this government’s commitment, driving defence as an engine for growth and supporting the reindustrialisation of industry in Britain.

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.”

Subject to contract signature and final approvals, the new capability will begin entering service later this year, with support sustained for at least five years and options to extend.

The NAD Group has already procured another Tekever-built drone – the AR3 – for the RAF’s StormShroud capability.