UK Army to replace Watchkeeper UAVs with TEKEVER’s autonomous platform under a potential £400 million programme focused on surveillance, intelligence and defence capability
The British Army has selected UK-based technology company TEKEVER to supply its next-generation uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), with the AR5 drone set to replace the existing Watchkeeper fleet under a planned 10-year programme valued at up to £400 million.
The initial acquisition will include six TEKEVER AR5 aircraft, with the fleet expected to grow to up to 24 drones by 2029. The new-generation platforms will enhance battlefield surveillance, intelligence gathering and real-time decision-making capabilities for the UK Armed Forces.
Wes Streeting MP, Defence Secretary, said the selection would provide UK personnel with advanced autonomous technology while supporting national defence innovation.
“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,” Streeting said.
Designed for extended endurance missions, the AR5 can carry up to 50 kg of payload, including advanced cameras and sensors, enabling persistent monitoring and real-time intelligence transmission to operational teams. The platform delivers improved endurance, sensor capability and reliability compared with the Watchkeeper system, which has been in service since 2014.
The AR5 has already demonstrated operational capability, having been used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine for intelligence and surveillance missions during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
TEKEVER will manufacture the drone fleet at its upcoming production facility in Swindon, UK. The programme is expected to strengthen domestic drone manufacturing capability while supporting the creation of hundreds of jobs across TEKEVER’s UK operations.
Karl Brew, Managing Director at TEKEVER UK, said the programme represents a new approach to developing and sustaining autonomous defence systems.
“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,” Brew said.
Subject to contract completion and final approvals, the AR5 capability is expected to begin entering service from late 2026, with support planned for at least five years and options for future extensions.
The programme reflects the growing adoption of autonomous aircraft systems across defence and aerospace markets, as operators increasingly invest in advanced drones for surveillance, intelligence, mission support and operational resilience.
