Portuguese-born defence technology company TEKEVER has secured a new framework contract valued at €30 million with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide unmanned aerial systems for maritime operations, according to a company statement.
The agreement covers an initial two-year period, with extension options that could bring the total duration to up to four years. Under the contract, TEKEVER will supply two complete systems, each comprising two unmanned aerial systems, enabling simultaneous deployments across multiple regions and strengthening maritime surveillance capacity across European waters.
The contract centers on the TEKEVER AR5, a medium-altitude, long-endurance, fixed-wing unmanned aerial system designed for complex maritime environments. In the configuration delivered to EMSA, the AR5 is capable of beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations and offers an endurance of up to 12 hours.
The AR5 features a modular payload architecture that can be adapted to different mission requirements. Payload options include electro-optical and infrared cameras, maritime radar, AIS receivers, high-capacity satellite communications, and EPIRB antennas. A newly available second gimbal facilitates automatic detection, supporting the platform’s AI-driven capabilities.
Operational since 2017, the AR5 has been deployed in missions across Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and the Baltic States.
The system is used by EMSA and national authorities for a range of wide-area maritime surveillance missions, including maritime situational awareness, fisheries control, law enforcement, and environmental protection. The platform also supports sea rescue operations through a life-raft release solution.
Commenting on the agreement, Nadia Maaref, managing director of TEKEVER France, said that EMSA is “once again placing its trust in TEKEVER’s proven technology,” adding that the company’s systems continue to support maritime surveillance by improving situational awareness and delivering real-time intelligence to authorities.
Featured image: Photo courtesy of TEKEVER
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