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UK Selects Tekever AR5 Drones To Replace Watchkeeper

July 27, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

UK to spend up to £400 million on Tekever AR5 drones.
AR5 will replace troubled Watchkeeper aircraft.
First batch of six AR5s to be ordered, with up to 24 units by 2029.
Tekever to produce AR5 in new facility in Swindon, England.

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Strategic Implications

The UK's selection of Tekever AR5 drones may indicate a shift towards locally produced, more reliable surveillance systems. The replacement of Watchkeeper suggests that the UK is prioritizing modernization and effectiveness in its military capabilities, which could have implications for future defense procurement decisions.

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What Happened

British Army Upgrades Surveillance Capabilities With Locally Produced UAS

The UK Ministry of Defence has announced plans to replace its Watchkeeper drones with locally produced Tekever AR5 surveillance drones, with an investment of up to £400 million over the next decade. The first batch of six AR5s is expected to be ordered, with a total of up to 24 units to be delivered by 2029. Tekever, a British-Portuguese firm, will produce the AR5 in a new facility in Swindon, England, which is set to open in the summer of 2026. The decision to replace Watchkeeper comes after the MoD deemed it ’no longer fit for operational purpose’ following lessons learned from the Ukraine war. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.

Source | Originally Published: July 26, 2026

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