Unicorn Tekever signs €30 million contract to monitor European waters

Tekever has signed a €30 million contract with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to strengthen surveillance of European waters using drones. The contract has an initial duration of two years and may be extended for up to four years.

"This agreement reinforces EMSA's confidence in Tekever's proven technology. Our systems continue to support maritime surveillance, enabling authorities to improve situational awareness and provide real-time information where it is most needed", said Nadia Maaref, head of Tekever's Security Unit.

Under this framework contract, Tekever will supply two AR5 unmanned aerial systems (UAS), each consisting of two aircraft, to support simultaneous multi-regional operations in European waters. The AR5 - a medium-altitude fixed-wing drone with up to 12 hours of autonomy, maritime radar and beyond-line-of-sight flight capability via SATCOM technology - has been in use since 2017 in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and the Baltic States, supporting missions such as fisheries control, search, and rescue at sea and environmental protection.

With offices in several Portuguese cities (including Porto), the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine, Tekever is one of Europe's leading suppliers of drones for defence and security. The company currently has a team of around 1,000 employees.