The announcement was made by the UK Ministry of Defence, which confirmed that Tekever's AR5 surveillance drones will replace the Army's ageing Watchkeeper system. The first order includes six aircraft, with up to 24 expected to be delivered by 2029.

The AR5 drones can carry up to 50 kilograms of surveillance equipment, including cameras and sensors, allowing commanders to receive real-time intelligence during missions. The Ministry of Defence said the aircraft have already been used by Ukraine's Armed Forces and offer improved endurance and reliability compared with the Watchkeeper system.

The agreement is also good news for the company's operations in the UK. Tekever recently opened a manufacturing facility in Swindon, where the drones for the British Army will be produced.

Founded in Portugal in 2001, Tekever has grown into one of Europe's leading drone manufacturers, specialising in autonomous systems powered by artificial intelligence. The company has expanded internationally in recent years and has secured contracts for defence, maritime surveillance and security operations across several countries.

The latest agreement follows another milestone for the Portuguese company earlier this year, when it was selected to take part in the British Army's Project NYX programme, which is developing autonomous drones capable of operating alongside Apache attack helicopters.

The contract marks another significant step for Portugal's growing defence technology sector and further strengthens Tekever's position in the European aerospace and defence industry.