The United Kingdom is allocating up to £400 million to equip its army with modern Tekever AR5 reconnaissance drones.
As stated on the UK Ministry of Defence website, the new drones will replace the ageing Watchkeeper systems, which have been in service since 2014 and are reaching the end of their operational life. The AR5’s advantages include extended flight endurance as well as the ability to carry up to 50 kilograms of equipment, including specialised cameras and sensors.
This will allow military commanders to receive high-quality intelligence in real time. In addition, the UK Ministry of Defence noted that these reconnaissance drones have already been successfully tested and are being used by Ukraine’s Armed Forces during the fight against the Russian invasion.
The initial order provides for the delivery of six drones, and in total the military will receive up to 24 units by 2029. The first aircraft are expected to enter service by the end of this year.