According to Ukrinform, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the decision.
The AR5 drones will replace the outdated Watchkeeper systems, which have been in service with the British Armed Forces since 2014. The new drones are expected to begin entering service by the end of this year.
The initial contract includes the delivery of six AR5 systems, with up to 24 drones expected to be delivered to the British military by 2029.
The drones will be manufactured at a facility of the Portuguese-British company Tekever, which is set to open soon in Swindon, southwest England. The value of the agreement is estimated at £400 million over the next 10 years.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, commenting on the selection of the AR5, said the drone was developed to protect British soldiers and had already been tested in Ukraine.
"Watchkeeper, in service since 2014, is reaching the end of its operational life. The new AR5 offers significantly improved endurance, sensor capability and reliability, ensuring that the Army maintains a battle-winning edge in surveillance and reconnaissance systems," Streeting said.
The AR5 is a Portuguese-British medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft developed by Tekever for maritime and land surveillance, search-and-rescue missions, and patrol operations.
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The history of the AR5 drone family dates back to the 2010s, when it was developed primarily for civilian and military border monitoring missions conducted under the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.
The UAV uses a conventional aircraft design and can carry up to 50 kilograms of payload, including electro-optical systems, radars, and sensors.
The new systems are expected to enter service with the British Armed Forces by the end of this year.
As previously reported by Ukrinform, U.S. military shot down an Iranian Shahed drone for the first time using an interceptor drone that had been tested in Ukraine.
Photo: UK Ministry of Defence