ECO/eRadar has identified five Portuguese defence-linked companies whose expansion plans and projects could shape a fast-growing sector with international reach.

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.

Four Portuguese technology and healthcare companies are set to sign agreements with Saudi investors, highlighting growing business links and market access in the Gulf.

Four Portuguese companies in technology and healthcare are due to sign memorandums of understanding with Saudi investors on Monday, in a move that could open commercial representation, operations in Riyadh or funding channels in Saudi Arabia. The agreements, reported by ECO, underline growing business ties between Portugal and the Gulf for companies seeking expansion beyond Europe.

The companies are DigestAId, Ciberbit, ITGest and aesthetic medicine provider NB Clinic. The memorandums are scheduled to be signed at the headquarters of CIP, the Portuguese Business Confederation, as part of the third official visit to Lisbon by a delegation of Saudi private investors, ahead of a visit by Saudi Health Minister Fahad Al-Jalajel.

Alwalid Albaltan, president of the Saudi Arabia-Portugal Business Council, told ECO that most of the agreements are designed to help Portuguese companies enter the Saudi market through local representatives rather than equity participation. “The idea is that these businessmen … want to be their representatives in the country,” he said. He added that the deals would start operations in Saudi Arabia but do not require a shareholding investment.

For Porto-based medtech company DigestAId, the agreement also has a financing angle. CEO Miguel Mascarenhas told ECO that after its DeepCapsule artificial intelligence system received FDA approval, the company now wants “financial muscle” to support commercialisation and broader validation work. DigestAId already operates in the Gulf through the United Arab Emirates and Oman and has had a scientific collaboration since February with King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia, according to ECO.

Albaltan said the number of Portuguese companies operating in Saudi Arabia has risen to about 60 from 24 when the business council was created in 2024. He described healthcare as the first sector chosen for a more targeted push, with the current delegation bringing together nearly 20 companies linked to the Saudi market.

Organizers of the Porto summit, meanwhile, have openly linked their politics to Nazi ideology.

cross-posted from: https://metawire.eu/post/157146

The recent power outage in Spain and Portugal has raised questions about the stability of solar and wind power. It also reignited the debate around the phasing out of nuclear energy.

cross-posted from: https://lemm.ee/post/63025407

Portugal’s caretaker government plans to expel some 18,000 foreigners living in the country without authorization, a minister said Saturday in the buildup to a national election.

Portugal has been caught up in the rising European tide of populism, with its far-right Chega party surging into third place in last year’s election.

cross-posted from: https://feddit.nl/post/31947411