Tekever to supply long-range drones to Portuguese Air Force

Portuguese technology company Tekever has signed a contract to supply AR5 long-range drones to the Portuguese Air Force (FAP) for maritime surveillance missions. The autonomous platforms are scheduled for delivery in early September.

The contract includes operator training, a Ground Control Station, and the ATLAS mission system. The AR5 drones, which feature a wingspan of nearly 8 meters and weigh approximately 200 kilograms, are designed for high-altitude, robust maritime operations. These capabilities will support the FAP in monitoring the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), coastal security, environmental protection, and rural firefighting support.

Training for Air Force personnel will occur in two phases: an initial phase through September to prepare for delivery, followed by a second phase starting in October to ensure full operational readiness. While the specific contract value was not disclosed, a Ministry of Defence order from November last year authorized a maximum budget of just over 7.79 million euros for such unmanned aerial systems.