Defence tech unicorn TEKEVER has acquired West Wales Airport in the UK, in a move set to expand its footprint in the fast-growing autonomous systems sector and deepen its role in UK and NATO defense initiatives.
The acquisition, according to a company statement, supports TEKEVER’s £400 million OVERMATCH program, which focuses on strengthening military capabilities through AI-powered unmanned systems.
By securing full ownership of the airport, TEKEVER aims to turn the site into a national hub for testing and evaluating next-generation autonomous technologies.
Located in Aberporth, West Wales Airport offers access to 2,500 square miles of restricted airspace over land and sea – an ideal environment for advanced drone testing. TEKEVER has been operating at West Wales Airport since 2023, using the site for its research and development efforts. The airport’s facilities have also been used to support test flights for clients such as the UK Home Office and Royal Navy.
Now, under TEKEVER’s ownership, the site will be further developed to serve as a critical testing ground not just for TEKEVER, but for UK government stakeholders, allied partners, and industry collaborators. The expansion is expected to create highly skilled jobs and open new opportunities for local businesses.
“West Wales has long been central to our UK operations and global growth,” said Ricardo Mendes, CEO of TEKEVER, which is headquartered in Lisbon. He added that acquiring the airport strengthens their ability to meet the growing global demand for AI-driven defense solutions and is just the beginning of the company’s accelerated investments.
The move reflects a wider trend in modern defense strategy: faster innovation cycles and the need for real-world environments to test AI and autonomous technologies. TEKEVER’s OVERMATCH program is structured around this urgency, with “NETWORK” being one of its key pillars – focused on expanding robust testing infrastructure across the UK.
The Welsh government welcomed the announcement. “TEKEVER is one of Europe’s leading and fastest growing companies in the unmanned aerial systems sector,” said Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning. According to her, the acquisition will bring significant benefits to both the national defense ecosystem and the local economy.
Featured image: Screenshot from a video on TEKEVER’s website (Courtesy of TEKEVER)
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