• The autonomous platforms, scheduled for delivery as early as September, will be operated directly by the Portuguese Air Force.
• The systems will be integrated into maritime surveillance, security, and defense missions, as well as monitoring of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

 

TEKEVER, a pan-European technology company specializing in autonomous systems based on artificial intelligence, has signed a contract with the Portuguese Air Force, which will now have access to the AR5 system’s autonomous capabilities for surveillance missions. The contract also includes operator training, as well as the supply of the Ground Control Station and the ATLAS mission system.

This contract represents a decisive step toward the immediate strengthening of the Portuguese Air Force’s operational capabilities and the ongoing modernization of its air assets, with the delivery of the systems and the achievement of initial operational capability already scheduled for this coming September.

The AR5 system will enable the Portuguese Air Force to enhance its operational autonomy on long-range missions. The platforms will be deployed on maritime surveillance, security, and defense missions; monitoring of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ); and support for public interest missions, including the Special Rural Firefighting Unit (DECIR), coastal security, and environmental protection.

To ensure the autonomous and effective use of this new capability, TEKEVER will implement a comprehensive knowledge transfer program. Initial training for Air Force personnel will be completed by September, coinciding with the delivery of the systems. A second phase of training will take place in October, consolidating full operational readiness and the development of new skills among the operational teams.

 

Tenente-Coronel Luís Henriques, Operational Coordinator of the Portuguese Air Force’s AR5 Working Group, stated:

“The integration of the AR5 system represents a significant enhancement of the Portuguese Air Force’s operational capabilities. This platform meets current surveillance, security, and defense requirements, providing greater range, endurance, and operational flexibility. Its integration will strengthen the nation’s capacity to monitor the Exclusive Economic Zone and support a wide range of public interest missions, contributing to an Air Force that is better prepared to respond to present and future challenges.”

 

Pedro Petiz, Director of Portugal at TEKEVER, stated:

"This contract puts an autonomous capability developed and produced in Portugal to work in protecting our airspace and maritime territory. In addition to supplying the aircraft, we will cooperate with the Portuguese Air Force to consolidate and develop its own operational capability, which will strengthen national autonomy, readiness, and response capacity."

TEKEVER systems have accumulated thousands of flight hours in coastal patrol, persistent surveillance, border protection, detection of suspicious activities, environmental protection, and search and rescue missions. This experience has been consolidated through operations conducted for national and international entities, including the UK Home Office and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Currently, TEKEVER systems are also in operation in Ukraine, where they carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions in an operational environment.

The TEKEVER AR5 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) fixed-wing unmanned aerial system designed for wide-area intelligence-gathering missions. With a flight endurance of up to 20 hours and the capacity to carry up to 50 kg of payload, it integrates satellite communications (SATCOM), enabling operations beyond radio line of sight (BRLOS). Its ability to operate from short or unprepared runways ensures high flexibility and operational resilience, even in the most demanding scenarios.