TEKEVER’s £400 Million Investment to Revolutionize UK Defense and AI Technology

TEKEVER has announced a significant investment exceeding £400 million aimed at enhancing research, infrastructure, and the progress of defense technologies in the UK, which is expected to generate over 1,000 skilled jobs within the next five years.

Transforming Defense Capabilities with OVERMATCH

This investment is a key component of TEKEVER’s aspiring five-year initiative, dubbed OVERMATCH, which seeks to elevate the UK’s defense capabilities by fostering rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. This strategic move aligns with the UK’s vision of becoming a leading defense industrial powerhouse,focusing on advanced manufacturing and the swift deployment of cutting-edge technologies to the front lines.

Introduction of StormShroud and the Role of AR3

TEKEVER’s declaration coincides with the unveiling of StormShroud, a state-of-the-art electronic warfare initiative under the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) Program. Central to this initiative is the AR3,a tactical uncrewed aerial system (UAS) designed for exceptional endurance and versatility. The AR3 has a commendable operational history, making it the chosen aerial platform for this innovative capability.

Enhancing Operational effectiveness

StormShroud introduces a novel operational strategy: it supports manned aircraft like the Typhoon and F-35 Lightning by disrupting enemy radar systems,thereby facilitating undetected precision strikes. This approach allows for the deployment of electronic warfare tactics without jeopardizing crewed platforms, thus enabling personnel to focus on other vital frontline operations.

Proven Performance in Conflict zones

The selection of the TEKEVER AR3 for the StormShroud program underscores its reliable performance in active conflict zones. Since 2022, the AI-driven AR3 has accumulated over 10,000 operational flight hours in Ukraine, autonomously identifying and tracking vehicles and vessels in contested areas.

Collaboration with Leonardo UK and Future Funding

As part of this initiative, the AR3 will be outfitted with Leonardo UK’s BriteStorm electronic warfare payload, which is developed and manufactured in Luton. To further support the OVERMATCH program,TEKEVER is initiating a new funding round,fully backed by existing investors,including lead investor ventura Capital,Baillie Gifford,the NATO Innovation Fund (NIF),Iberis Capital,and crescent Cove. This funding round confirms TEKEVER’s valuation at over £1 billion.

CEO’s Vision for the Future

Ricardo Mendes,CEO of TEKEVER,stated,“We are honored to contribute to the RAF’s Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) programme,delivering the STORMSHROUD capability in less than six months. This initiative exemplifies the effective collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the industry to rapidly provide advanced defense capabilities while integrating lessons learned from operational experiences in Ukraine and bolstering the UK’s sovereign industrial base.”

“Building on this foundation and our long-standing partnership with the MOD in supporting Ukraine, we are excited to announce our OVERMATCH program, which involves a £400 million investment in the UK over the next five years, creating 1,000 high-skilled jobs. This strategic commitment is not merely an industrial expansion; it is a blueprint for positioning the UK at the forefront of transforming Europe’s defense landscape by delivering faster, more adaptable capabilities that can outpace evolving threats.”