ECO/eRadar has identified five Portuguese companies to watch in defence, spanning drones, software and armoured and autonomous vehicles, as the country’s defence industry expands its international footprint. The sector includes 440 companies with combined annual sales of about €8.68 billion, of which €3.47 billion are linked to defence and €5.20 billion to civilian uses, according to idD Portugal Defence .
Among the companies highlighted, drone maker Tekever stands out as Portugal’s seventh unicorn and the only one in defence. The company is pursuing a €500 million funding round that could lift its valuation from €1.2 billion to €5.5 billion. Tekever has also been expanding in the UK, France, Ukraine, Estonia and the US, while securing contracts in areas such as maritime surveillance and wildfire detection.
Beyond Vision and UAVision reflect the international push of smaller Portuguese drone groups. Beyond Vision, which is expanding its production unit in Alverca, has recently moved into Jordan and Canada and has previously announced plans for a US factory. UAVision was selected by the European Defence Agency as one of five companies to test loitering munitions technology in Portugal under the OPEX26 exercise, where a total prize of €1.8 million will be awarded after trials in September.
Critical Software and Jacinto are also companies to follow. Critical Software is active in defence projects ranging from AI-based pilot training simulators for Gripen fighter jets to the European BEAST missile technology programme, and could be involved in Portugal’s planned FREMM EVO frigate purchase, although no official confirmation has been given. Jacinto, a maker of specialist vehicles, is investing €3 million in a new 4,000-square-metre unit for defence production, with operations expected to start by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
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