UK Home Office Contracts TEKEVER for Drone-Based Maritime Surveillance

The UK Home Office has awarded TEKEVER a three-year contract renewal to provide Surveillance-as-a-Service across the English Channel using its AR5 and AR3 drones.

Under the terms of the contract, TEKEVER will be responsible for the provision of its AR5 system, a twin-engine fixed-wing UAV designed for maritime surveillance missions. It can fly for more than 20 hours and can carry multiple sensors, including maritime radars, synthetic aperture radars, day and night cameras and AIS and EPIRB receivers. 

As part of this Home Office contract, the AR5 will be used to detect and recognize potentially illegal vessels, track and identify them, and provide the authorities with real-time and highly accurate intelligence.

In addition to the AR5, TEKEVER will provide its AR3 drone. The AR3 provides flexible sensor options and 16h endurance with a very reduced logistics footprint, making it ideal for the most demanding tactical scenarios. Used either in its VTOL-mode, or launched with a highly mobile catapult system and recovered using a parachute or a net, AR3 is designed to create a complementary response to AR5 missions.

“We are very pleased to be renewing our work with the UK Home Office and proud of the partnership we have created to date, where we get to be part of a greater and more meaningful cause that is impacting lives every day,” said Paul Webb, TEKEVER Chief Operating Officer. “This award vindicates our continued commitment to protecting and preserving human life through AI-driven drone surveillance built to detect the dangerous act of human trafficking and illegal fishing activities.”

Dr Neil Honeyman, Chief Technology Officer for the Home Office’s Small Boats Operational Command, added: “TEKEVER is a trusted partner and we are delighted to continue our excellent working relationship with them over the next three years, using their cutting-edge systems as part of our continued efforts to tackle this illegal and extremely dangerous activity in the English Channel.”

Source