UK MoD unveils first steps for British Army Watchkeeper replacement
Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
Saab will continue to operate and support Gripen test aircraft for FMV. (Photo: Saab)
Swedish defence procurement agency FMV has extended its Gripen development support contract with Saab until 31 December 2022.
Under the SEK998 million ($117.54 million) deal, the OEM will continue to operate and support test aircraft and advanced tools such as testing rigs and simulators on behalf of the Swedish Air Force and other Gripen operators.
‘Test aircraft together with these advanced tools are used in the verification and validation of Gripen C/D and Gripen E fighter systems as Saab develops future new capabilities or enhancements,’ the company noted in a 5 May statement.
‘Gripen is designed for continuous upgrades to take on and defeat new combat challenges – a design approach that we have already proven many times. To enable continued development in Gripen it is required that we have advanced tools in place that are easy to manage, quick to implement and affordable to sustain,” said Jonas Hjelm, senior VP and head of the Aeronautics business area in Saab.
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Project Corvus will look for a replacement for the Watchkeeper Mk1 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that was retired from service in the British Army in March 2025.
The Swedish Government has asked parliament to authorise two possible export sales as part of its 2025 Spring amending budget bill.
Contracts for the procurement of two platforms have been signed, and will be tested by the German armed forces.
The company has been negotiating the supply of TCTS II to US allies and partners.
The second and third Airbus A330 MRTT for the Spanish Air Force have been undergoing conversion in Getafe, Madrid.
The two countries have already signed defence industrial partnerships in recent years, most recently between Republikorp and Turkish firm Baykar in February 2025.