UK Army Launches £130m Tender to Replace Ageing Watchkeeper Drone

DOWNLOAD IPFS

The British Army has officially launched a £130 million procurement programme to replace its ageing Watchkeeper drone system, aiming to deliver a more modern and flexible unmanned aerial capability by 2026. The project, known as Project Corvus, is designed to provide long-range intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) across a broad range of land operations.

The Ministry of Defence opened the competition this week through Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), setting a requirement for a Land Tactical Deep Find (LTDF) capability that aligns with the UK’s broader Land Industrial Strategy. The new platform is expected to integrate seamlessly into the Army’s existing structure, particularly within 47 Regiment Royal Artillery, which has operated the Watchkeeper Mk1 since its deployment.

Project Corvus calls for a system that can be deployed by late 2025 and brought into full operational use by mid-2026. The five-year contract will be awarded to a single prime contractor responsible for the delivery and long-term support of the unmanned system.

Defence officials say the programme reflects both the urgent need to modernise the Army’s aerial surveillance fleet and the lessons learned from recent conflicts, including the war in Ukraine. The replacement system must demonstrate resilience in contested environments, support operations in GPS-denied conditions, and deliver low-latency data transmission in real time.

Shortlisted bidders will be required to participate in live demonstration trials, either at Ministry of Defence facilities or approved contractor sites. These trials must be cleared by the relevant aviation authorities to ensure compliance with flight safety regulations.

The Watchkeeper programme, which was introduced in 2019, has faced repeated setbacks, including delays, attrition, and limited operational value. The system was fully retired in March 2025, prompting the push to fast-track its replacement.

By launching this tender under the updated Procurement Act 2023, the MOD signals its commitment to transparent, competitive procurement processes while ensuring critical defence capabilities are delivered without delay. Project Corvus is one of the most significant drone acquisition efforts in recent Army history and is expected to set the standard for future unmanned aerial system integration within NATO-aligned operations.