Portuguese technology company Tekever announced that the British army will use Tekever's AR5 system under a contract valued at up to 400 million pounds sterling (equivalent to approximately 467 million euros at the current exchange rate) over the next ten years.
According to the company statement, this contract will enable the creation and maintenance of hundreds of highly skilled jobs at Tekever facilities in the UK, thereby strengthening the country's defense and technology sectors and contributing to the reindustrialization of the British industrial base.
Tekever was selected to replace the army's Watchkeeper system. The AR5 system offers significantly improved autonomy, sensor capabilities, and reliability, capable of carrying up to 50 kg of surveillance payload, including cameras and sensors.
This complex will ensure continuous observation and intelligence gathering by collecting information around the clock, providing real-time data to support decision-making on the front lines and assist in the protection of British troops.
The company notes that the Corvus system reflects Tekever's approach to providing military power, combining proven operating systems with the continuous development of this capability.
The program is based on Tekever's growing role as a long-term partner to the UK and is a result of the company's continuous investment in production, engineering, and sovereign operational support across the UK through its strategic investment program OVERMATCH, amounting to 400 million pounds sterling.
AR5 production will be focused on Tekever's new manufacturing sites in Swindon, supported by the company's broader industrial presence in the UK, including engineering work in Bristol and Southampton, as well as training, testing, and evaluation activities in West Wales.
Under this program, the technology company will lead a consortium of UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), creating and maintaining numerous jobs across the country.
Although the contract has not yet been signed and requires final approval, the system will begin operation this year and will be supported by Tekever for an initial period of at least five years, with the possibility of extension.
According to the company, AR5 is based on Tekever's operational experience in Ukraine, where the company's autonomous systems have accumulated over 50,000 operational flight hours since 2022.
The CEO of the technology company, Ricardo Mendes, stated in a statement that Tekever was founded on the belief that operational advantage depends on constant adaptation. He added that Corvus confirms this vision, combining operational experience, AI-based autonomy, and sovereign industrial power in a program designed to evolve throughout its service life.
Karl Bryu, Managing Director of Tekever, believes that Corvus 'represents a radical shift in providing advanced autonomy to the British army.' He emphasized that it is not just about a platform, but about building and maintaining a sovereign capability that stays one step ahead of adversaries.
Wes Stirling, UK Defence Secretary, concluded that, 'tested in Ukraine and designed to protect British soldiers worldwide, we have chosen the Tekever AR5 drone, manufactured in the UK, to equip our personnel with equipment that keeps them ahead of emerging threats. These investments will support our troops in their mission while stimulating reindustrialization and supporting British innovation.'
