JavaScript Required

Jumpseat Aerospace News requires JavaScript to function. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue.

Tekever Wins Contract for Watchkeeper UAV Successor

July 25, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Tekever selected for Watchkeeper UAV successor contract.
Contract worth £336 million if all options exercised.
AR5 platform boasts 20h endurance and 50kg payload.
Initial agreement for five-year period, including in-service support.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Key Takeaways.

Upgrade

Strategic Implications

This award may indicate the British Army's preference for innovative, long-range surveillance capabilities. Tekever's selection suggests a shift towards smaller, agile contractors, which could signal a change in the UK's defense procurement strategy. The contract's value indicates significant investment in UAV technology, which may have implications for the broader European defense market.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Strategic Implications.

Upgrade

What Happened

British Army Awards Sole-Source Deal For Long-Range Surveillance Drones

The British Army has awarded a sole-source contract to Tekever to provide a new fleet of long-range surveillance drones, replacing the obsolete Thales Watchkeeper WK450 UAVs. The contract, worth £336 million if all options are exercised, will see Tekever deliver its AR5 platform, which boasts a 20h endurance and 50kg payload. The initial agreement is for a five-year period, including in-service support, with options to increase the number of task lines and extend support. This development was reported by FlightGlobal.

Source | Originally Published: July 24, 2026

Companies Mentioned