New UAVs: is the right capability being procured for the British Army?
The retirement of the UK’s Watchkeeper UAV was announced in November 2024. (Photo: Crown Copyright)
Following the retirement of Watchkeeper from the UK Armed Forces, what drone capabilities will be next sought as a replacement?
The British Army’s 47th Regiment Royal Artillery is on notice that its Watchkeeper intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) will likely be retired in 2025.
The programme, managed by Thales UK and based on an Elbit Hermes 450, has had what could charitably described as a chequered history. It is unlikely to be much mourned.
The replacement effort, “Land Tactical Deep Find”, is suitably vaguely named to cover a wide range of potential solutions. But it does at least provide general identification of goals and parameters: the UAS will not require a maritime bent, range
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