UK invests £400 million in AI‑driven counter‑drone systems and new surveillance drone fleet

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has integrated AI‑enabled counter‑drone systems into British Army units through Project VANAHEIM and Project ANVIL. Trials in Germany, Poland and a planned phase in Lithuania have tested real‑time evaluation of equipment, with AI models capable of retraining within 24 hours to maintain effectiveness against evolving threats.

The government has announced a £400 million contract for Tekever AR5 surveillance drones that can travel at 60 mph, fly for up to 20 hours and see through smoke, clouds and darkness. The first six drones will be built in Swindon, with a target of 29 by 2029, creating hundreds of jobs. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said the spend supports troops, drives re‑industrialisation and builds sovereign capability, noting the drones have already been trialled by Ukraine’s armed forces.