TEKEVER AR5 drones to strengthen Portuguese Air Force maritime surveillance

TEKEVER has announced it’s signed a contract with the Portuguese Air Force to supply its TEKEVER AR5 system for surveillance missions. The contract includes operator training, the supply of the Ground Control Station, and the ATLAS mission system.

TEKEVER terms itself a “pan-European” company, although it’s based in Portugal and the AR5 was developed in Portugal. It is unclear how many are being purchased or for how much.

The Portuguese contractor stated that the contract “represents a decisive step toward the immediate strengthening of the Portuguese Air Force’s operational capabilities and the ongoing modernization of its air assets, with the delivery of the systems and the achievement of initial operational capability already scheduled for this coming September.”

After the initial handover and training to be completed by September, the second phase of training will take place in October. It will consolidate the “full operational readiness and the development of new skills among the operational teams.”

TEKEVER’s AR5 drones to support Portuguese maritime surveillance

The AR5 system is intended to help Portugal to conduct maritime surveillance, defence missions, and security missions over its large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). TEKEVER adds that the drones can also assist in Portugal’s Special Rural Firefighting Unit (DECIR), coastal security, and environmental protection.

Tenente-Coronel Luís Henriques, Operational Coordinator of the Portuguese Air Force’s AR5 Working Group, said, “This platform meets current surveillance, security, and defence requirements, providing greater range, endurance, and operational flexibility. Its integration will strengthen the nation’s capacity to monitor the Exclusive Economic Zone.”

The UK Home Office has also selected the TEKEVER AR5 for maritime surveillance missions, with the British Army signing a deal last month for the drones worth up to £400 million. The British Army’s initial order is for six AR5 drones and up to 24 to be delivered by 2029.

The selection of the AF5 by both Portugal and the UK further strengthens the platform’s position within the European defence drone market. It has also been selected by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).

TEKEVER AR5: Portugal’s MALE maritime surveillance drone

The AR5 is classified as a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) fixed-wing UAS designed for wide-area intelligence-gathering missions. It has an endurance of up to 20 hours and a capacity to carry up to 50 kg in payload.

It integrates satellite communications (SATCOM), enabling operations beyond radio line of sight (BRLOS). TEKEVER claims that its ability to operate from short or unprepared runways ensures “high flexibility and operational resilience, even in the most demanding scenarios.”

TEKEVER systems are operational in Ukraine, where they are tasked with carrying out surveillance and reconnaissance missions in an operational environment.