Portugal buys Tekever AR5 drones for maritime surveillance

Published Aug 11, 10:09 AM UTC

Tekever has signed a contract with the Portuguese Air Force to supply its AR5 uncrewed aircraft for maritime surveillance, with delivery and initial operational capability scheduled for September. The deal includes the aircraft, a ground control station, the ATLAS mission system, and operator training. The AR5, a medium-altitude long-endurance fixed-wing drone with up to 20 hours endurance and 50kg payload, will monitor Portugal's exclusive economic zone—one of Europe's largest—and support missions including coastal security, environmental protection, and rural firefighting. The aircraft carries satellite communications for beyond-line-of-sight operations and can operate from short or unprepared strips. Tekever's drones are also used by the UK Home Office for English Channel surveillance and by Ukraine for reconnaissance in contested electromagnetic environments. The Portuguese Air Force currently operates P-3 Orion and C-295 maritime patrol aircraft; the AR5 is intended to add persistent, lower-cost surveillance capability rather than replace them.