Celorico da Beira will receive drone unit: 30 million investment

Celorico da Beira will host an industrial unit for production of “relevant” drones, in an investment of EUR 30 million (ME), which is expected to create 50 jobs at an early stage, has been released today.

“Vertical Connect, Lda purchased four lots in the A25 business park to produce unmanned electric aircraft, high-capacity drones and eVTOL platforms for surveillance, detection, operational support and fire fighting, but also for agricultural activity,” Lusa Carlos Ascensão (PSD), president of the Celorico da Beira Chamber, told the agency.

The project involves an investment of 30 ME and the creation, in the initial phase, of 50 jobs, with growth potential up to about 100.

“ It will mostly be highly qualified workforce and, taking into account the technology in question, cooperation with universities, polytechnic universities and technological centres in the region is also envisaged,” added the mayor.

Carlos Ascensão said it was a technological and industrial unit “of a relevant, technologically differentiated and dedicated dimension to the national market and export”.

“ It is a very interesting industry, which brings great added value to Celorico da Beira, because it will do research, development, engineering, production, assembly, control, quality and logistical support ", it has advanced.

Eate investment “will change and value the profile of our industrial park and increase the notoriety of the municipality of Celorico da Beira”, sustained.

Vertical Connect, from Brazilian capitals, will develop aeronautical technology applied to the problem of fires and agriculture.

The project will occupy a total of 6,000 square meters in the business park of Celorico da Beira, in the Guarda district, next to the A25 – Beiras Litoral and Alta motorway, which links Aveiro to the border of Vilar Formoso.

The promoters intend to build laboratories, production lines, an operations centre, warehouses and a drone testing and landing track.

“ The investors chose Celorico da Beira for the centrality of the municipality in terms of accessibility. We are served by A25 and IP2, by the railway [Linha da Beira Alta], we are close to A23 and a step from the Spanish border and the entrance to Europe”, highlighted Carlos Ascension.

The mayor of Celorico da Beira revealed that it is the intention of Vertical Connect to start building the infrastructure in early 2027.

“The municipality will already do earthworks to create the necessary conditions for building a pavilion, because they intend to bring some drones from the company they have in Brazil.”.

Carlos Ascensão indicated that “what they have expressed and are the commitments established, it is still this year to begin with this whole process so that, at the beginning of next year, the phased construction of pavilions will begin”.

“ They also have an urgent need to start, as early as the year, this activity of manufacturing aircraft and drones ", assured.