A European tech company specialising in AI drones has acquired West Wales Airport for an undisclosed sum.
Lisbon-headquartered Tekever said the Aberporth site would be expanded into a hub for testing and developing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for 海角视频 and international customers.
The company has operated at the Ceredigion airport since 2023 and also has 海角视频 offices in Bath and Southampton.
The airport鈥檚 facilities supported test flights for customers including the 海角视频 Home Office and Royal Navy. The site will be made accessible to 海角视频 government stakeholders, allied partners and industry collaborators following the takeover, Tekever said.
Ricardo Mendes, chief executive of Tekever, said: 鈥淲est Wales has long been central to our 海角视频 operations and global growth 鈥 allowing us to become part of thriving community, and have access to a fantastic infrastructure and amazing people."
The acquisition marks a milestone in Tekever's 拢400m development programme for the 海角视频, known as Overmatch, aimed at delivering competitive advantage through autonomous, AI-driven technology to 海角视频 and NATO armed forces.
"As defence spending rises and geopolitical threats grow, the demand for AI-driven autonomous systems is only increasing," added Mr Mendes. "Acquiring West Wales Airport strengthens our ability to meet that demand while advancing our Overmatch programme. This is just the beginning 鈥 we鈥檙e accelerating our investments and pushing forward at pace.鈥
According to Tekever, West Wales Airport will become a "cornerstone" of the 海角视频鈥檚 defence innovation ecosystem. The expansion is expected to deliver long-term regional benefits, including the creation of skilled jobs and opportunities for local businesses.
Rebecca Evans, cabinet secretary for economy, energy and planning, said: 鈥淭ekever is one of Europe鈥檚 leading and fastest-growing companies in the unmanned aerial systems sector. Its acquisition of West Wales Airport in Ceredigion supports its ambitious expansion plans in the 海角视频 and will deliver significant benefits for the national defence ecosystem and regional economy of mid and west Wales alike.鈥
Tekever was founded in 2001 and employs more than 350 people. The company entered the drone market a decade ago.
