Tekever
Organization, also known as TEKEVER
Tekever has flown its AR5 drone from the Royal Navy carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, raised $580 million at a $6.4 billion valuation and opened a German headquarters in Munich.
About
Tekever started in 2001 in Lisbon as four engineering graduates writing software. It now has around 1,200 staff and offices in Lisbon, Bristol, Edinburgh, Munich, Toulouse, Tallinn and the US.
Its aircraft range from the AR3 surveillance drone, which flies for the RAF under the name StormShroud, to the 80 kg-payload AR5 and the new AR6 heavy-lifter shown at Farnborough in July 2026. In mid-October an AR5 became the first Tekever fixed-wing aircraft to operate from an aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The company says its new funding is partly for acquisitions, and it bought Flowcopter, the maker of the hydraulic drive in the AR6, on 1 September. Its chief executive says a stock market listing is possible, with no decision taken.
What it makes
- AR3Catapult-launched surveillance drone. Flies for the RAF as StormShroud.
- AR5Fixed-wing drone, 7 m wingspan, 80 kg payload. Operated from HMS Queen Elizabeth in October 2026.
- AR6Heavy-lift drone with hydraulic transmission. Tekever claims 200 kg over 500 km. Production planned from the end of 2026 at Swindon.
Facts
- Founded
- 2001, Lisbon
- Valuation
- $6.4 billion (Series D, first close)
- Staff
- About 1,200
- AR5
- 7 m wingspan, 80 kg payload
Latest
- Nov 2026Opening a base in Odense, Denmark to serve Nordic customers.
- Mid-Oct 2026AR5 operates from HMS Queen Elizabeth during Heavy Lift Challenge 3. Announced 5 Nov.
- 13 Oct 2026Launches TEKEVER Germany, headquartered in Munich, as its hub for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
- 23 Sep 2026First close of a $580 million Series D at a $6.4 billion valuation, led by UC Investments and Baillie Gifford.
- 1 Sep 2026Acquires Flowcopter of Edinburgh, maker of the digital hydraulic drive used in AR6.
Stories
5 November 2026
BAE Systems details carrier tests of Nyan strike drone
