Lisbon-based military drone maker Tekever announced it will invest over £400 million in research, infrastructure, and defence technology development in the UK, leading to the creation of over 1,000 highly-skilled jobs over the next five years.

Tekever’s announcement coincides with the launch of StormShroud, a next-generation electronic warfare programme delivered under the UK’s Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) Programme.

“The investment is part of Tekever’s ambitious five-year UK development program known as OVERMATCH, which is designed to transform the nation’s defence capabilities by accelerating innovation in AI and autonomy – technological advancements that have become vital to rapidly evolving modern warfare tactics,” said Tekever.

“This strategic investment supports the UK’s plans to become a defence industrial superpower, including bolstering advanced manufacturing production and bringing technology to the front line at speed, ultimately positioning the UK as a leader among allied nations.”

Tekever CEO Ricardo Mendes said: “Tekever is proud to be part of the RAF’s Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) programme, rapidly delivering the STORMSHROUD capability in under 6 months. This programme is a strong example of how the Ministry of Defence and Industry can work collaboratively to deliver cutting edge Defence capability at pace while incorporating lessons learned from operational feedback in Ukraine and supporting the UK sovereign industrial base.

“Building on this foundation, and our long term partnership with MOD in supporting Ukraine we are today announcing our OVERMATCH programme, investing £400 million in the UK over the next 5 years and creating 1,000 high-skilled jobs.

“This strategic commitment to the UK is more than an industrial expansion – it is a plan to position the UK to lead the transformation of Europe’s defence landscape by delivering faster, more adaptive capabilities that stay ahead of evolving threats.”