Portuguese drone manufacturer Tekever opens office in Ukraine

Portuguese unmanned aerial systems manufacturer Tekever is opening a representative office in Ukraine to enhance frontline support and drive innovation in defence technologies. The company announced the move in an official press release obtained by Defender.

Tekever has been operating in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market for maritime surveillance since 2001. Since 2022, the company has been actively collaborating with the Ukrainian military in the areas of reconnaissance, surveillance, detection, and targeting. Tekever’s drones are built on an AI-powered platform that integrates edge computing, satellite communications, and cloud-based technologies.

According to the company, its AR3 drone has already accumulated over 10,000 hours in combat conditions in Ukraine. The AR3 is a fixed-wing drone designed for endurance missions, capable of flying for 8 to 16 hours, carrying a payload of up to 4 kg, cruising at 75–90 km/h, and operating within a range of up to 100 km.

Tekever’s main products include:

• Tekever AR3 – a small, autonomous UAS for medium-range land and maritime ISTAR missions. It can be launched via catapult or parachute.
• Tekever AR4 – a hand-launched mini-UAV for short-range land and maritime ISTAR missions.
• Tekever AR5 – a tactical UAV equipped with SATCOM for medium- to long-range ISTAR missions.
• Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) technology.

Tekever’s research, engineering, and manufacturing centers are located in Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom. With the support of Ukraine’s Ministry of Strategic Industries, the company plans to expand its local team, grow its engineering, service, and R&D infrastructure in Ukraine, and establish new training centers to boost the effectiveness of joint operations with Ukrainian partners.

“We are working closely with end users in Ukraine to ensure our platforms and technologies deliver critical intelligence for combat missions and national defence,” said CEO Ricardo Mendes. “With this initiative, Tekever will significantly strengthen its support for Ukrainian partners.”
He added that opening the Ukraine office is also a strategic response to the shifting geopolitical landscape and a strong signal of Tekever’s support for Ukraine within Europe.