Maritime surveillance: Tekever delivers AR3 Evo to Portugal's maritime authority AMN

For maritime surveillance, the Portuguese National Maritime Authority (Autoridade Marítima Nacional; AMN) is procuring an autonomous airborne system. The 1.5 million euro contract went to Tekever, a Portuguese manufacturer of unmanned systems – it is AMN's first direct contract with the company. The money comes from the European Union's Internal Security Fund (Fundo de Segurança Interna; FSI), with a co-financing rate of 75 per cent.

The system is based on the AR3 Evo platform. It is to be delivered within an implementation period of 180 days; the Portuguese Maritime Police (Polícia Marítima; PM) will gain considerable operational reach as a result.

Tekever prevailed in a competitive tender against domestic competitors UAVision and NTG. Besides the AR3 Evo platforms, the package includes a ground station, specialised training and long-term technical support.

In addition to delivering the system itself, we will transfer knowledge and support the AMN in building up its own operational capabilities— Pedro Petiz, Director of Strategic Development at Tekever

Maritime surveillance for the Maritime Police special units

The AR3 Evo provides direct support for those PM capabilities that require high readiness – above all for its special units. The platform is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); it is intended for coastal and high-seas surveillance, law enforcement, search and rescue (SAR) and environmental monitoring in Portugal's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

As an AMN spokesperson explained, the procurement includes capabilities for detecting concealed objects, electronic surveillance and counter-surveillance. For law enforcement, it is crucial that the system ensures the preservation of forensic evidence and criminal-procedure capabilities in maritime criminal investigations and intelligence gathering.

Modular design and long endurance

The combat-proven AR3 Evo is developed and manufactured in Europe, and its architecture is fully modular. Operators adapt payloads, communications, propulsion (electric, combustion or heavy fuel) and launch methods to the immediate requirements of the mission. The system can be operated in a dual role: as a fixed-wing aircraft or as a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform. As a VTOL, it needs an operating area of just 5×5 metres – making it ideal for take-offs and landings from ship decks or on unprepared coastal terrain.

The AR3 Evo has a wingspan of 4.2 metres and is 1.96 metres long. Its maximum take-off weight (MTOW) is up to 30 kilograms in the VTOL configuration and 25 kilograms as a fixed-wing aircraft. At a cruising speed of 85 km/h, the drone has an endurance of up to 14 hours as a VTOL and up to 22 hours as a catapult-launched fixed-wing aircraft.

Thanks to a payload capacity of six kilograms, the AR3 Evo can be fitted with a range of sensors for wide-area maritime surveillance. Typical options are high-resolution electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) gimbals, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), AIS receivers for tracking vessels and maritime VHF radios. Communications reach up to 230 kilometres; data is transmitted in real time to the ground station, giving commanders immediate situational awareness. The system is also designed for rapid deployment: it takes less than five minutes from transport case to airborne.

The unmanned fleet is set to grow

The procurement is part of a broader strategy with which Portugal is modernising its maritime security. Tekever is already bringing its extensive maritime experience to the AMN: the company has logged thousands of flight hours in support of the British Home Office and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). It supplies EMSA with larger AR5 systems that monitor European waters under a 30 million euro framework contract.

A spokesperson confirmed that the AMN intends to continue its modernisation. Further procurements of unmanned aircraft systems are planned before the end of 2026, paid for from remaining FSI funds. They are to concentrate on smaller tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that complement the AR3 Evo and thus form a layered network for coastal surveillance.