Portugal expands drone manufacturing through new defense partnerships

Portugal is emerging as a growing hub for unmanned vehicle production through new industrial developments and international partnerships.

Keydef, the defense and aerospace division of the Portuguese company Sketchpixel, has signed an agreement with India’s Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) to manufacture drones in Portugal. The project involves an initial investment of six million euros and aims to position the country as an industrial platform for exporting Indian-origin systems to European and global markets. The partnership focuses on surveillance, air defense, and civil applications like precision agriculture, with Sketchpixel/Keydef developing electronic components and artificial intelligence. The companies intend to seek NATO certification for the systems produced.

Additionally, the Ukrainian-founded company UForce has established operations in Amadora, Portugal. UForce Portugal is involved in the research, production, and sale of both civilian and military unmanned vehicles. The company manufactures the MV7, a surface naval drone from the Magura family used in the Black Sea. These technologies were recently showcased at the REPMUS 26 maritime unmanned systems exercise in Troia, which featured various international participants and cutting-edge technologies, including hydrogen-powered aerial drones.