The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Anartes a five-million-pound ($6.6 million) contract to deliver drone kits and training systems supporting the British Army’s first-person view (FPV) program.
The package includes at least 1,000 quadcopter-style FPV drones in three sizes—five, eight, and ten inches—along with batteries and FPV goggles. Designed from commercial off-the-shelf components and open-source firmware, the drones can be assembled and maintained in-house, promoting hands-on technical skills among operators.
Training will be conducted at Lulworth Camp, where instructors will undergo a two-day familiarization course before guiding soldiers through simulator and live flight training. Personnel must complete 15 simulator hours before operating FPV systems in field conditions.
The Anartes contract builds on the UK’s broader Defence Drone Strategy, launched in 2024 to develop front-line drone warfare capabilities. Alongside the army’s expanding FPV pilot programs, the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force are fielding small autonomous drones for reconnaissance and resupply missions, as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 UAV.
