British Army finds a new eye in the sky after Watchkeeper woes

Tekever AR5 drone regarded as more up-to-date answer to provide battlefield surveillance for soldiers

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is investing up to £400 million in new surveillance drones to replace the British Army's troublesome Watchkeeper fleet.

The MoD has selected the Tekever AR5 uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) for a fleet of "spy-in-the-sky" aircraft intended to provide real-time intelligence, protect troops, and inform battlefield decisions.

The initial order will be for six AR5 drones, with up to 24 expected by 2029. The aircraft will be built at a soon-to-open manufacturing facility in Swindon and, subject to contract signature and final approval, will begin entering service later this year. Support is expected to continue for at least five years, with options to extend it.

Tekever is a small aerospace and defense biz based in Portugal, but with a number of manufacturing and test facilities in the UK. One of its...

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