Tekever is a defense and technology company founded in Portugal in 2001. The company operates in the fields of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), AI-powered data processing systems, and space technologies. Headquartered in Lisbon, Tekever also has operational offices in the United Kingdom and France. The company is known for its dual-use systems developed for both civilian and military applications. Its UAV systems are used by European Union and UK institutions for border security, environmental monitoring, and search and rescue operations.
Corporate Structure and Investments
Tekever initially grew through internal resources and secured its first external investment in 2022 with a €20 million Series A funding round involving Ventura Capital and Iberis Capital. In 2024, it raised €70 million (approximately USD 74 million) in a Series B round led by Baillie Gifford & Co. and the NATO Innovation Fund. With this investment, Tekever aimed to expand into new markets, particularly the U.S., and increase its product development capacity. The NATO Innovation Fund designated the company as strategically important for producing defense, security, and resilience-oriented technologies.
Products and Technological Components
Tekever’s product portfolio includes three main UAV models designed to meet different operational needs: AR3, AR4, and AR5. Additionally, all UAVs are integrated with ATLAS, an AI-powered analytics software developed by the company.
AR3 is a fixed-wing UAV designed for shipborne missions and offers extended flight endurance. It can operate with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities or via a catapult-assisted configuration. Depending on the mission profile, it has a flight time of 8 to 16 hours and can carry payloads such as SAR, EO/IR sensors, and communication relays.
AR3 (Tekever)
AR4 is a lightweight, hand-launched short-range UAV designed for environmental observation, infrastructure monitoring, and short-term reconnaissance. With a flight time of 2 hours and a payload capacity of 1 kg, it is suitable for rapid deployment missions.
AR4 (Tekever)
AR5 is Tekever’s most advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV model. It can perform missions for up to 20 hours and is used for maritime surveillance, fisheries control, pollution monitoring, and search and rescue operations. It supports payloads of up to 50 kg and features Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) communication capabilities.
AR5 (Tekever)
Software Infrastructure: ATLAS
ATLAS is an AI and machine learning-powered software suite developed by Tekever for analyzing mission data in real time or retrospectively. It provides decision-makers with comprehensive data processing tools from pre-mission planning to live mission tracking and post-mission analysis. It includes custom modules for mission replay, evidence collection, and intelligence generation.
Application Areas
Tekever UAV systems are used across a variety of sectors and missions, including ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance), maritime security, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and communication relay. The AR5 model has been deployed in Europe’s first large-scale unmanned maritime surveillance system and is operationally used by the UK Home Office and the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
Manufacturing, Integration, and Deployment
Tekever designs and develops all components of its UAV systems in-house, from airframe design to software, sensors, and payload integration. This vertically integrated approach allows for rapid customization and adaptation to customer requirements. The systems are offered both as surveillance-as-a-service and for direct sales with training and support for independent operation.
Space Projects and Satellite Technologies
Beyond UAVs, Tekever is also active in space technologies. The company contributed to ESA’s Hera and PROBA-3 missions with its software-defined communication module named GAMALINK. Additionally, it has developed GAMASAR, a synthetic aperture radar technology for environmental observation and emergency response applications.
Research and Development Activities
Tekever has participated in numerous EU-funded R&D projects, including OceanTech, INFANTE, VIRIATO, CARAVELA, and COMPASS 2020. These initiatives enhance the company’s technological capabilities and strengthen its international collaborations.
Tekever is a European-based company that develops both hardware and software solutions in defense and security technologies, focusing on unmanned aerial systems and space-based communication technologies. Its systems, offering versatile applications in both civilian and military domains, are designed to meet the needs of modern surveillance and operational environments.
