What TEKEVER does

TEKEVER is a Portuguese-headquartered, AI-driven unmanned aerial systems (UAS) company founded in 2001 that pivoted into the UAS market in 2010 and has become one of Europe's leading vertically integrated drone and Intelligence-as-a-Service providers, reaching unicorn status (€1.2B+ valuation) in May 2025. Its product portfolio centres on three airframes — the AR3 / AR3 EVO modular tactical VTOL/fixed-wing UAS, the AR5 medium-altitude long-endurance fixed-wing UAS, and the ARX swarm-controlling UAS — supplemented by the in-house GAMASAR Synthetic Aperture Radar, edge AI running on NVIDIA Systems-on-a-Chip, and the ATLAS AI/ML-powered intelligence platform that fuses onboard and ground-side sensor, video, SAR, RF/SIGINT, AIS and acoustic data for real-time and historical mission intelligence.

The business model combines hardware platform sales (AR3, AR5, ARX) with multi-year framework service contracts, managed Intelligence-as-a-Service delivery (TEKEVER deploys its own pilots and analysts), and bespoke defence R&D and capability programmes. Pricing is quote-based and undisclosed, with reference contract values including a €30M EMSA maritime surveillance framework, a €5M Spanish Ministry of Interior deal (AR3 systems plus ATLAS access plus three years of training), £400M over five years for the UK OVERMATCH programme, and a €100M five-year commitment to France. The company sells primarily to government and defence customers through a direct enterprise sales force supplemented by exclusive regional channel partners (Marubeni for Japan/Asia, Apex for Taiwan, BTI Defence for Indonesia, EPE for New Zealand, Droneway for Morocco, Aerial Robotix for Nigeria) and OEM integration with primes such as Leonardo UK, General Dynamics Mission Systems–UK, and BAE/Anduril/Thales on Project NYX.

TEKEVER serves a narrow but high-value customer base: ministries of defence and interior, coast guards, maritime safety agencies, and selected energy and critical-infrastructure operators, with active operations across Europe (Portugal, UK, France, Spain, Italy, the Baltic States, Ukraine), the US (new Fayetteville NC office, May 2026), and select Asia-Pacific and African markets. Sovereign industrial footprints in Portugal, the UK, France, Ukraine and the US, combined with certifications (AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 56001, Cyber Essentials), are central to winning sensitive programmes such as the UK Royal Air Force's StormShroud electronic warfare initiative and the Franco-sovereign DESIR SAR satellite.

Name

TEKEVER

Legal name

TEKEVER

Website

https://tekever.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

TEKEVER is a Portuguese-headquartered, AI-driven unmanned aerial systems company that designs the AR3, AR5 and ARX drones, the GAMASAR radar, and the ATLAS intelligence platform, selling hardware, Intelligence-as-a-Service and bespoke defence programmes to ministries, coast guards and agencies across Europe, the US and select Asia-Pacific and African markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Unmanned Aerial Systems (Defence Drones)

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC), UAS Communications, Datalinks, SATCOM & Remote Control Systems (IMABAIAJ), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG)

Keywords

• Unmanned aerial systems
• Intelligence-as-a-service
• Autonomous ISR drones
• Maritime surveillance UAS
• Tactical defence platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Lisboa

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. UAS Product Sales (AR3, AR5, ARX): Direct sales of TEKEVER unmanned aerial system platforms (AR3, AR5, ARX) and related accessories, payloads and training packages to defence, security and commercial customers (e.g., Spanish Ministry of Interior AR3 systems contract).
2. Intelligence-as-a-Service / Managed Surveillance Services: Vertically integrated service where TEKEVER deploys and operates its own pilots and data analysts to deliver real-time intelligence over ultra-wide areas to customers such as EMSA, Italian Coast Guard, UK Home Office and oil & gas operators in Nigeria. Recurring managed-services revenue.
3. Framework Service Contracts (Recurring): Multi-year framework contracts such as the €30M EMSA framework (initial 2-year period, extendable up to 4 years) supplying two complete AR5 systems (two UAS each) for maritime surveillance across European waters.
4. Training and Through-Life Support Services: Multi-year training and support packages bundled with platform sales (e.g., 3-year training included in €5M Spanish Ministry of Interior contract; operator training in 5 days for AR3).
5. Custom Defence R&D and Capability Programmes: Programme-based revenue tied to large defence R&D and capability build-out such as the £400M UK OVERMATCH programme and the €100M France investment over five years, including Project NYX, StormShroud and DESIR.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels9 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TEKEVER designs, manufactures, and operates AI-driven unmanned aerial systems — the AR3/AR3 EVO tactical UAS, AR5 medium-altitude long-endurance fixed-wing UAS, and ARX swarm-controlling UAS — combined with the proprietary GAMASAR Synthetic Aperture Radar and the ATLAS AI/ML-powered intelligence-as-a-service platform. It sells hardware, multi-year framework service contracts, training, and through-life support to defence ministries, government agencies, and commercial customers for maritime surveillance, border security, ISR, electronic warfare, and search-and-rescue missions. Revenue is generated from platform sales, vertically integrated managed surveillance services, training packages, and large defence R&D and capability programmes such as the £400M UK OVERMATCH and €100M France investment.

Product overview

TEKEVER's offering is a vertically integrated, AI-centric platform-plus-modules architecture for unmanned aerial systems and Intelligence-as-a-Service (IaaS). The AR3 and AR3 EVO (small tactical UAS) and AR5 (medium-altitude, long-endurance fixed-wing UAS) are the airborne platforms, while ARX extends the family with a swarm-controlling UAS. GAMASAR is TEKEVER's in-house Synthetic Aperture Radar payload. ATLAS is the AI/ML-powered ground software platform that turns sensor, video, SAR, RF, and AIS data into real-time and historical intelligence for decision makers. TEKEVER Digital and TEKEVER Space extend the portfolio into Digital Transformation services and satellite/SAR systems (including inter-satellite link and active SAR antenna work for programmes such as DESIR and ESA Hera). The integrated stack supports ISR, electronic warfare, maritime surveillance, border security, search and rescue, and defence missions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ATLAS: TEKEVER's real-time Intelligence-as-a-Service platform. AI/ML-powered data centre providing decision makers with pre-mission planning, live mission viewing, post-mission analysis, and vessel/mission search tools via a browser-based interface.
• GAMASAR

Products and services

• AR3 / AR3 EVO Tactical UAS Small, long-endurance tactical VTOL/fixed-wing UAS (25 kg MTOW, up to 22h fixed-wing or 14h VTOL endurance, 6 kg payload, 230 km comms range) with fully modular architecture supporting EO/IR gimbals, SAR radar, SIGINT, EW payloads, SATCOM/LTE, laser designator and communications-relay configurations. GPS- and comms-denied capable, shipborne-operable, mission-ready in under 5 minutes with operator training in 5 days; combat-proven with 10,000+ flight hours in Ukraine. Sold to defence, security and commercial customers.
• AR5 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance Fixed-Wing UAS Medium-altitude, medium-endurance fixed-wing UAS (50 kg payload, 7.3 m wingspan, 100 km/h, 20h endurance, unprepared-airstrip recovery) used for wide-area maritime surveillance, search and rescue, border surveillance, and defence missions. Viasat BLOS SATCOM integration gives 1,000 km operational range; Europe's first UAS-based maritime surveillance system deployed with EMSA and the Italian Coast Guard.
• GAMASAR Synthetic Aperture Radar TEKEVER-designed and built dual side-looking Synthetic Aperture Radar payload, the smallest UAS-integrated high-performance SAR, named in honour of Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama. Integrated into AR3 and AR5 platforms, covering more than 20,000 square nautical miles per mission with all-weather, day/night wide-area detection, recognition and identification.
• Intelligence-as-a-Service (Managed Surveillance) Vertically integrated service in which TEKEVER deploys and operates its own pilots and data analysts to deliver real-time intelligence over ultra-wide areas to customers such as EMSA, Italian Coast Guard, UK Home Office, and oil & gas operators in Nigeria. Recurring managed-services revenue tied to multi-year framework contracts.
• Training and Through-Life Support Services
• TEKEVER Space — DESIR Active SAR Antenna Active SAR antenna subsystem developed by TEKEVER Space for the DESIR consortium (Loft Orbital + Thales Alenia Space), delivering France's first sovereign space-based SAR imaging capability, with initial service entry planned for early 2029.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ AR3 operational flight hours in Ukraine, with 100+ incremental platform evolutions feeding the AR3 EVO
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability12 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship asia channel partner, core strategic partner, core technology partner, core regional channel partner, advisory, operational partner, minor partner and core operational channel partner.

• Marubeni Corporationflagship asia channel partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 23 June 2026Japanese trading house Marubeni partnered as a sales agent to distribute TEKEVER defence drones across Asia. Marubeni also supports TEKEVER's plan to establish a defence drone manufacturing base in Japan, which would make TEKEVER the first foreign defence company to do so in the country.
• Skeleton Technologiescore strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 June 2026Agreement to explore joint projects in defence and aerospace, including power systems for autonomous platforms, sensing, space applications, edge computing, and AI-enabled defence systems. Deepens TEKEVER's Baltic presence following the opening of its first Tallinn office.
• Inzpire Ltdcore strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 May 2026MoU to form a strategic partnership focused on operational readiness, training, and mission support for uncrewed air systems, combining TEKEVER's AI-driven autonomous platforms with Inzpire's training and mission preparation expertise for UK and international customers.
• Quadsatcore technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 27 March 2026Successful integration and flight tests of Quadsat's SpectraLoc electronic warfare payload onto TEKEVER's AR3 EVO, validating interoperability between Quadsat's RF sensing technology and TEKEVER's modular architecture for airborne electromagnetic intelligence.
• EPE New Zealand Ltdcore regional channel partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 March 2026Strategic partnership to develop and deploy TEKEVER's autonomous defence systems (AR5, AR3 EVO, ATLAS) in New Zealand for maritime and land requirements. Showcased at the NZDIA Uncrewed Systems Showcase in Auckland.
• Isembard (MasonOS AI Factory)core technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 10 March 2026Isembard's MasonOS AI platform is used to support TEKEVER's defense, aerospace, and robotics manufacturing through a network of 25 AI-based factories; TEKEVER counts as one of Isembard's defense tech partners alongside Anduril and ARX Robotics.
• Loft Orbital (DESIR Consortium)core strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Industrial consortium with Loft Orbital (prime) and Thales Alenia Space selected by CNES/DGA for France's DESIR sovereign space-based SAR imaging demonstrator. Loft Orbital supplies the Longbow satellite platform; TEKEVER delivers the active SAR antenna.
• Thales Alenia Space (DESIR Consortium)core strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Part of the DESIR consortium with Loft Orbital and TEKEVER, developing the SAR payload and overall mission for France's first sovereign SAR satellite capability (€50M total budget, service entry early 2029).
• ARKEUScore technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 11 November 2025Joint integration and flight test campaign combining TEKEVER's AR3 EVO with ARKEUS' Warden Hyperspectral Optical Radar sensor, enabling real-time detection, classification, and long-range tracking across maritime, littoral and overland theatres.
• MERIOcore technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 2 November 2025MoU signed at UAV Show 2025 in Bordeaux to integrate MERIO's Milvus laser designation gimbal (2.8 kg, 16 cm diameter) into TEKEVER's UAVs, enabling drones to spot, track and 'paint' targets for precision-guided weapons in support of NATO/EU networked warfare.
• Avantixcore technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 20 October 2025MoU to study integration of Avantix's Electronic Warfare (EW) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) systems on TEKEVER platforms, strengthening French and European EW/SIGINT capabilities.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems–United Kingdomcore strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 September 2025Collaboration at REPMUS 2025 to explore maritime anti-submarine warfare, with TEKEVER's AR5 deploying sonobuoys and GDMS–UK providing distributed acoustic processing, integrated into TEKEVER's ATLAS platform.
• Apex (Taiwan)core regional channel partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 September 2025Partnership to deliver advanced ISR drone capabilities to Taiwan, combining TEKEVER's autonomous platforms and intelligence capabilities with Apex's local presence.
• QinetiQ (DroneWorks programme)core strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025MoU signed to advance uncrewed systems capabilities through the DroneWorks programme, supporting UK sovereign autonomy capability development.
• Plextekcore technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 18 July 2025Strategic partnership to strengthen UK and European technological sovereignty through joint development work, with Plextek contributing radar, sensing and signal processing expertise.
• Leonardo UK (BriteStorm payload)core strategic partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2025TEKEVER AR3 hosts Leonardo UK's BriteStorm electronic warfare payload for the RAF StormShroud programme under the Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) programme. TEKEVER provides airframe and systems integration; Leonardo provides the EW effect payload.
• IMSARcore technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 12 February 2025Partnership to integrate IMSAR's advanced SAR radar and data processing solutions on TEKEVER UAVs, complementing TEKEVER's in-house GAMASAR.
• The Growth StageadvisoryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 November 2024Acted as Placement Agent for TEKEVER's 2022 €20M round and financial advisor (alongside Houlihan Lokey) on the €70M Series B in 2024.
• Houlihan LokeyadvisoryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 November 2024Joint financial advisor (with The Growth Stage) to TEKEVER on the €70M Series B funding round announced in November 2024.
• Droneway (Morocco)core regional channel partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 November 2024Joint venture to bring TEKEVER's UAS technology to Morocco, with local deployment, training and customer support to revolutionise the drone industry in the country.
• Aerial Robotix (Nigeria) – Pipeline Missionoperational partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 20 September 2024TEKEVER partners with local Nigerian operator Aerial Robotix, training local pilots and maintenance technicians to deliver pipeline-monitoring UAS services to an international oil and gas company; over 100,000 km monitored and 672 POIs detected.
• BTI Defence (Indonesia)core regional channel partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 July 2024Exclusive representation agreement for Indonesia, providing local sales, training and customer support for AR3 systems in Indonesian defence and security market.
• CLS Group (Collecte Localisation Satellites)operational partnerTechnology or Integration · 20 October 2022Partnership with CLS Group in the Pelagos Sanctuary (Italy/Monaco/France) to deploy TEKEVER's AR5 with marine wildlife AI for the Italian Coast Guard, including detection of a wounded whale.
• Scorpio (Commercial Shipping)minor partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2022Strategic partnership to bring TEKEVER's space and drone technology into commercial shipping, combining TEKEVER's intelligence and surveillance capability with Scorpio's maritime commercial reach.
• AltaSea (Port of Los Angeles)minor partnerGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 March 2022MoU to collaborate on ocean and marine initiatives, starting with a K-12 educational program featuring real-time virtual participation in TEKEVER marine and environmental missions, plus market exploration with the Port of Los Angeles and U.S. Coast Guard.
• Viasatcore technology partnerTechnology or Integration · 23 March 2022Strategic and commercial partnership to integrate Viasat's BLOS satellite communications into TEKEVER's AR5 platform, expanding drone-based Intelligence-as-a-Service globally. The Viasat terminal meets SWaP requirements and gives the AR5 a 1,000 km operational range.
• Aerial Robotix (Nigeria)core operational channel partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2022Joint mission with Nigerian UAS operator Aerial Robotix to monitor oil and gas pipelines; partnership includes local pilot and technician training, mission execution, and ongoing expansion of capabilities.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights9 records

Direct peers

• Helsing: European defence AI and autonomous systems company. Frequently named alongside TEKEVER as one of Europe's three drone/defence unicorns in 2025; competes for sovereign European AI/autonomy budgets.
• Quantum Systems: German dual-use drone manufacturer and one of the three named European drone-defence unicorns alongside TEKEVER and Helsing in 2025; directly comparable as a European tactical UAS provider with sovereign contracts.
• Anduril Industries: US defence-tech prime building AI-driven autonomous air, sea and ground systems for NATO and allied governments. Direct competitor on autonomous UAS and loyal-wingman programmes (also a TEKEVER partner on Project NYX).
• Shield AI: US autonomous-defence company behind the Hivemind autonomy stack and V-BAT VTOL UAS; competing for the same ISR/autonomy budgets that TEKEVER targets with AR3/AR5 and ATLAS.
• Baykar: Turkish manufacturer of combat-proven Bayraktar TB2/Akıncı UAS. Directly comparable as a sovereign drone producer with export-grade combat validation that has set the benchmark TEKEVER cites via its Ukraine deployment.
• AeroVironment: US tactical UAS specialist (Switchblade, Puma, Raven). Comparable to TEKEVER's AR3-class tactical offering for allied special operations and infantry ISR.

Broad incumbents

• Elbit Systems: Israeli defence prime with broad UAS portfolio (Hermes, Thor). Overlaps with TEKEVER on tactical and MALE ISR drones but offers a much wider sensor/EW/weapons portfolio.
• IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries): Large Israeli aerospace and defence prime producing UAS (Heron, Harop) and SAR/space assets. Overlaps with TEKEVER on airborne ISR and on the SAR payload technology that feeds its GAMASAR and DESIR work.
• Leonardo: Italian/UK defence prime and TEKEVER partner on StormShroud (BriteStorm EW payload on AR3). A broad incumbent with overlapping UAS, EW and autonomous-collaborative-platform ambitions that competes for the same NATO autonomy wallet.
• Thales: French defence/electronics prime, TEKEVER's consortium partner on DESIR alongside CNES/DGA. Competes for sovereign French and European ISR, EW and autonomous-systems contracts while collaborating on selected programmes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/tekever
• Facebookfacebook.com/tekever
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tekever

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A3 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about TEKEVER