Portuguese unicorn TEKEVER buys British airport to expand drone testing centre
With the purchase of West Wales Airport, the Portuguese company with offices in Porto is consolidating an innovation hub for autonomous systems
TEKEVER, the Portuguese tech unicorn specialising in the development of drones with artificial intelligence technology, has acquired West Wales Airport with the aim of creating an international hub for testing and evaluating unmanned aerial systems.
The infrastructure, located in Aberporth, had already been used by TEKEVER for two years for technical tests, particularly of the AR3 model, and for operations with clients such as the British Home Office and the Royal Navy. The acquisition gives the company permanent access to 6,300 square kilometres of restricted airspace, considered ideal for drone testing.
This investment is part of a wider growth strategy in the UK, where TEKEVER has been gaining weight in the defence sector. Over the next five years, the company plans to invest around 470 million euros in the region and create around 1,000 jobs under the Overmatch programme.
CEO Ricardo Mendes stresses that the aim is to accelerate innovation in autonomous defence systems and strengthen the company's ability to respond to growing geopolitical demands. The Welsh government welcomed the initiative, stressing the positive impact on the regional economy and the defence ecosystem.
The latest Portuguese unicorn, with offices in Porto, is thus taking on a new strategic position in Europe, strengthening its ability to operate in international markets and consolidating its role as one of the fastest-growing companies in the unmanned aerial systems sector.
