“Industrial sovereignty is no longer an option”: the Tekever company will produce its defense drones in the heart of the Lot

A drone production factory in one of the most rural departments in France. After setting up its first site in France in Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) in 2024, the Portuguese company Tekever, pan-European leader in autonomous systems activated by artificial intelligence, is setting up a 4,500 m2 factory in Cahors (Lot) to develop, test and manufacture drones. The production site will be quickly operational since it is located in the current Grand Cahors exhibition center located in Fontanes.

In a European geopolitical context disrupted for four years by the war in Ukraine and tensions with its American ally, this project of industrial and military reconquest of France and Europe was strongly supported by the State, the Occitanie region and the elected officials of Grand Cahors. Although the Lot has only 200,000 inhabitants, industry represents 19% of jobs there, more than nationally where it amounts to 11%.

Undeniable assets which attracted the Portuguese group such as its existing infrastructure, its immediate proximity to the Cahors-Lalbenque aerodrome and its low population density, which facilitate test flights and validation operations.

The Toulouse aeronautical ecosystem

“Today, industrial sovereignty is no longer an option, it is a vital necessity for France and Europe,” underlines Nadia Maaref, general director of Tekever France, which is carrying out an investment plan of 100 million euros in France as part of Choose France 2025. The Cahors site perfectly reflects Tekever’s industrial approach: rapid, pragmatic and focused on operational implementation. Thanks to the many assets of the former Exhibition Center and the strong support of local and regional stakeholders, we were able to move quickly from announcement to implementation.”

For its development, the Portuguese group will also benefit from the Toulouse aeronautical ecosystem and the Mecanic Vallée industrial hub, bringing together 213 companies from Occitanie and New Aquitaine. The establishment of Tekever in Cahors was supported by the Occitanie region which launched in 2023 a 15 million euro plan to support the drone sector, driven by the success of the Toulouse SME Delair, French leader in the sector.

“The establishment of the region in the heart of the Lot confirms the attractiveness of Occitanie and its industrial territories,” assures Carole Delga, president of the Occitanie region. Thanks to the support of the region, the company has chosen to invest in a region with a future, with the key being the creation of 100 jobs over 5 years. This installation is part of our industrial sovereignty strategy and strengthens Occitania’s place in the European drone manufacturing ecosystem.”

The site will bring together drone assembly, integration and testing lines as well as space activities (assembly, integration and testing). Tekever will produce its AR3 and AR5 drones there, intended for civil and military missions, particularly in Ukraine. The first drones will leave the Lot factory this summer.