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European Drone Developer TEKEVER Expands to Ukraine With New Office and R&D Operations
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
TEKEVER, one of Europe’s leading developers of unmanned aerial systems, has officially opened a Ukrainian office and appointed Kateryna Bezsudna as its Executive Director, Militarnyi reported on September 22.
“I am convinced that technology must replace people wherever there is a risk to life. Ukraine needs solutions that can be immediately tested in battle and rapidly scaled worldwide. Together with TEKEVER, we are already doing this,” Bezsudna said.
According to Militarnyi, Ukraine has been operating the TEKEVER AR3 Dron drone for more than 2.5 years, carrying out reconnaissance missions in Donbas and southern Ukraine. The company’s primary focus is to establish infrastructure for user support—including spare parts supply, repairs, and technical assistance.
The AR3 drone has a flight range of 150 to 280 km and endurance of 6 to 12 hours. In addition to the AR3, TEKEVER is introducing new versions such as the AR3 Evo, which are gradually entering service in Ukraine. Production is based in Portugal, while the UK office oversees testing and scaling.
The systems feature secure communications, advanced telemetry, and adaptability to diverse conditions, with particular emphasis on resilience under electronic warfare.
Launch is currently performed via catapult, though a VTOL system enabling faster and safer takeoff is in development. Each unit requires a four-person crew and is equipped with hybrid day/night cameras, customizable for specific environments including maritime operations.
In Ukraine, TEKEVER operates a dedicated support team managing repairs, spare parts storage, and rapid logistics. The company also plans to open an R&D center in the country to co-develop new models together with local startups, Militarnyi reported.
“Today Ukraine is the world’s most important laboratory for defense innovation. TEKEVER has been working here since the beginning of the full-scale invasion — we test systems on the frontlines, listen to feedback, and quickly turn the lessons of war into ready-made solutions. AR3 EVO is a vivid example of this process: created in battle, ready for any mission, and in any environment,” said Carl Bru, Head of Defense Programs at TEKEVER.
TEKEVER drones have already been used to neutralize Russian S-300 and S-400 air defense systems and to support multiple critical missions in Donetsk region.
Earlier, Ukraine designated a land plot in a secure region for the construction of a new plant to manufacture 155mm artillery shells.
