The contract will provide persistent, long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance across a range of operating environments. The ministry selected the AR5 after assessing a capability shaped by more than 50,000 operational flight hours in Ukraine since 2022.
Tekever said the system will offer greater endurance, reliability and intelligence-gathering capacity for battlefield commanders. The company is also expected to update the capability throughout its service life in response to changing operational requirements.
AR5 manufacturing will be centred at Tekever’s Swindon facility and supported by the company’s expanding engineering, training and operational presence across the UK. A consortium of British small and medium-sized companies will also participate in delivery.
The award adds to Tekever’s separate £400 million Overmatch strategic investment programme in Britain. The company said the programme is intended to expand its UK industrial base, support skilled employment and strengthen sovereign capability.
“The signing of this contract marks the beginning of a new chapter in our partnership with the British Army and the UK Ministry of Defence,” said Karl Brew, managing director of Tekever UK. “CORVUS is more than a surveillance system; it represents a fundamentally different approach to delivering military capability, one that continuously evolves to stay ahead of operational demands.”
“CORVUS will provide the British Army with a highly capable, sovereign surveillance system while supporting skilled jobs, innovation and industrial growth across the UK,” Brew said. “We look forward to working closely with the Ministry of Defence and our industry partners to deliver a capability which will continue to evolve throughout its service life.”
“Our soldiers deserve the best technology, and that’s what we’re delivering,” said Luke Pollard, minister for defence readiness and industry. “From small drones giving troops eyes on the enemy, to the AR5 offering commanders better intelligence over the battlefield, we’re transforming the Army’s ability to see, understand and act first.”
Pollard said the award also reflected the government’s aim to channel defence spending into domestic industrial capacity. “This is defence procurement that backs British industry, creates skilled jobs and keeps our Armed Forces ahead of our adversaries.”
Project Corvus is intended to give the Army more persistent battlefield surveillance and improve operational decision-making. The capability is also designed to help protect British personnel by giving commanders earlier and more detailed intelligence.
