-
New Tekever AR5 surveillance
drones chosen to keep British
troops safe through round-the-clock intelligence
gathering.
-
Up to £400 million deal will support jobs at
Tekever's UK sites, bolstering Britain's defence
manufacturing base.
-
Investment supports re-industrialisation
of Britain, helping to strengthen national security
and create growth across the UK.
British soldiers will be better protected and more
lethal on the battlefield as
a new investment of up to £400 million
will see the Army equipped with the latest spy drone
technology.
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 initial order will be for six AR5 drones, with up
to 24 delivered by 2029.
The AR5 has been selected to replace the ageing Watchkeeper
drones, under a deal worth up to £400 million over
the next 10 years. The drone will be built
in Tekever's soon to be open Swindon manufacturing
facility.
Defence Secretary 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 been utilised
by Ukraine's Armed Forces on the battlefield, as they continue
their fight against Russia's unprovoked invasion.
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.
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 will begin entering service later this year, with
support sustained for at least five years and options to extend.
