The UK government has signed a £5-million ($6.6-million) contract with Anartes to supply drone training kits and systems for the British Army’s first-person view (FPV) program, a growing initiative aimed at enhancing the country’s military drone warfare capabilities. The contract supports both pilot instruction and operational simulation, enabling troops to train effectively in FPV drone strike missions.
The agreement calls for the delivery of at least 3,000 FPV drones across three sizes—five-inch, eight-inch, and ten-inch quadcopter variants—each accompanied by batteries and FPV goggles. Built from commercial off-the-shelf components and powered by open-source firmware, the systems are designed for ease of assembly and repair, allowing personnel to maintain them independently. Once trained, pilots can modify the drones with mock anti-tank, anti-personnel, or anti-structure warheads for advanced combat simulation exercises.
FPV pilot training will take place at Lulworth Camp, where qualified instructors will undergo a two-day training program before leading courses for new recruits. Each soldier must complete 15 hours of simulator time before transitioning to live drone flights. The curriculum emphasizes real-world combat conditions, ensuring soldiers develop precision control, rapid response, and target engagement proficiency.
This latest contract strengthens the British Army’s FPV drone initiative, launched in 2024 under the Defence Drone Strategy, which focuses on developing indigenous drone expertise and operational readiness. The army has recently expanded its pilot courses and simulation facilities to improve flight control and accuracy. Meanwhile, across the UK’s armed forces, drone integration is accelerating — the Royal Navy now employs autonomous drones for reconnaissance and logistics, and the Royal Air Force has officially fielded its Protector RG Mk1 for intelligence and strike operations.
