November 27, 2025 (Global) – TEKEVER has secured a new framework agreement with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to deploy its AR5 fixed‑wing Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in support of maritime operations across European waters. Under the terms of the contract, valued at approximately €30million, TEKEVER will supply two complete AR5 systems—each comprising a pair of UAS—with an initial two‑year period and optional extensions that could extend the agreement up to four years.
The AR5, a medium‑altitude, long‑endurance fixed‑wing UAS, is designed for complex maritime missions and capable of flying Beyond Radio Line Of Sight (BLOS), with an endurance of up to 12hours in the configuration delivered to EMSA. Its modular payload architecture supports a range of sensors and equipment, including Electro‑Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) cameras, maritime radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers, high‑capacity satellite communications (SATCOM), and Emergency Position‑Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB). A newly available second gimbal enhances automatic detection capabilities, boosting mission effectiveness.
Operational with EMSA and national authorities since 2017, the AR5 has been deployed in countries including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and the Baltic States. It plays a central role in wide‑area maritime domain awareness, fisheries control, law enforcement support, environmental monitoring, and search‑and‑rescue operations. TEKEVER’s Managing Director for France underscored the renewed trust EMSA has placed in the company’s technology, highlighting the systems’ ability to improve real‑time situational awareness where it matters most.
Key Highlights
- TEKEVER secures EMSA framework agreement for AR5 fixed‑wing UAS deployment (initial two years, extendable to four).
- Contract valued at approximately €30million.
- AR5 UAS capable of BLOS operations with up to 12hours endurance.
- Modular payloads include EO/IR, maritime radar, AIS, SATCOM, and EPIRB.
- Deployed globally for maritime surveillance, domain awareness, and search‑and‑rescue.
Industry analysts say the agreement underscores the growing importance of UAS platforms in maritime safety and surveillance, offering enhanced persistence and coverage compared with traditional manned systems.
