The British Army will receive new Tekever AR5 reconnaissance drones under a contract worth up to £400 million. At the same time, more than 1,025 small drones will be delivered to the military under a separate £16 million deal.
The AR5 is a long-endurance reconnaissance drone capable of carrying up to 50 kg of cameras and sensors. It is set to replace the ageing Watchkeeper drones, which have been used by the British Army since 2014.
The initial order covers six AR5 drones, with the number potentially increasing to 24 by 2029. The drones will be manufactured at a new Tekever factory in Swindon. The British government says AR5 drones have already been used by Ukraine against Russia.
Separately, Britain is completing the delivery of more than 1,025 small drones under a contract with three UK-based companies.
These include 245 FOXE-NATO drones from Evolve Dynamics. The drones weigh less than 250 grams and are equipped with infrared cameras for use at night.
Another 670 Skydio X10 INTL drones are being supplied by Marlborough Communications Limited. They can be ready to fly in less than a minute and reach speeds of up to 45 mph.
The British military will also receive 110 SONORA drones from Brigantes Consulting and Harmattan AI. They are designed to help train soldiers before they use similar drones in real operations.
The delivery of the small drones is being carried out under Project Rapstone, a British Army programme aimed at bringing new technologies into service with the military more quickly.
