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AR3
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AR3

Tekever fixed-wing ISR drone; 10,000+ operational hours in Ukraine; OVERMATCH contract.

Last refreshed: 10 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

How does AR3 combat performance compare to US ISR drones of similar size?

Timeline for AR3

#8 8 May

Mentioned in: Ukraine lands 347 drones on Moscow's Victory Day

Drones: Industry & Defence
#6 15 Apr

Logged more than 50,000 operational hours in Ukraine combat deployment

Drones: Industry & Defence: Malloy revealed as BAE subsidiary as Tekever scale emerges
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Background

AR3 is Tekever's primary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) unmanned aircraft, a fixed-wing platform designed for persistent aerial surveillance at extended ranges. The AR3 has accumulated more than 10,000 operational hours over Ukraine, making it one of the most combat-tested European-made ISR drones in the war.

The AR3 is contracted under the UK MoD's OVERMATCH five-year framework (approximately £400 million) and forms the ISR backbone of Tekever's role in the UK's £752 million Ukraine drone package announced April 2026. Its production will be supported by Tekever's new 254,000 sq ft Swindon factory opening summer 2026. The SEAKER variant adapts the platform for maritime anti-ship missions.

Common Questions
What is the Tekever AR3 drone?
The AR3 is Tekever fixed-wing ISR drone with 10,000+ operational hours over Ukraine, contracted under the UK OVERMATCH programme.Source: Background
What is the SEAKER drone?
SEAKER is a Tekever maritime anti-ship variant of the AR3 ISR platform, adapting the fixed-wing airframe for persistent maritime surveillance and surface-vessel targeting.Source: Tekever
What is the Tekever AR3 drone and what has it done in Ukraine?
The AR3 is Tekever's fixed-wing ISR drone with more than 50,000 operational hours over Ukraine, making it the most combat-tested European-made surveillance drone in the war. It is contracted under the UK MoD's OVERMATCH framework and forms the ISR core of the UK's £752 million Ukraine drone package.Source: UK MoD / Tekever
How much is the UK spending on Tekever AR3 drones?
The AR3 is contracted under the UK MoD's OVERMATCH five-year framework worth approximately £400 million. Tekever also forms part of the UK's £752 million Ukraine drone package announced in April 2026. A 254,000 sq ft Swindon factory opening in summer 2026 will support production.Source: UK MoD / Tekever