Tekever announces €100 million investment in drone centers in southwestern France

Portuguese company Tekever, a specialist in autonomous systems, has announced a €100 million investment to establish two centers of excellence for drone development in the regions of Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France. The initiative, unveiled during the “Choose France” summit on May 19, 2025, is expected to create 100 highly skilled jobs over the next five years.

The investment aims to strengthen Tekever’s footprint in the European defense and technology market, in line with France’s broader strategy to boost its technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy. In 2024, Tekever had already opened a research and development unit in Toulouse, currently employing around ten professionals.

Tekever is internationally recognized for its drones used in maritime surveillance and security missions, including operations related to the war in Ukraine. With this new investment, the company plans to expand its production and innovation capabilities in autonomous systems for both civilian and military applications.

The initiative underlines Tekever’s commitment to supporting the European defense ecosystem by fostering innovation and collaboration between the public and private sectors. The choice of Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine reflects the company’s strategy of establishing itself in regions with strong industrial and technological ecosystems.

Headquartered in Lisbon, Tekever is considered one of Europe’s leading developers of drones and autonomous technologies. This expansion into France marks a major step in its international growth strategy and in reinforcing Europe’s defense capabilities.