New site of UK drone factory revealed

A new drone factory will open in Swindon to help produce the uncrewed air systems the UK has sent to fight Russia in Ukraine, the government will announce today.

The 254,000-square-foot facility will be operated by Tekever and is due to open in 2026, Defence Secretary John Healey will say at a site visit later. It will create 1,000 jobs and bring core production of the AR5 drone to the UK for the first time, while increasing capacity of existing AR3 production.

The UK has bought £270m in Tekever drones to help Ukrainian forces destroy advanced Russian air defence systems since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion in February 2022. It will be the manufacturer's fourth UK site and its largest so far.

"This new factory is a clear demonstration that this government is making defence an engine for growth across the UK," Mr Healey is expected to say. "Tekever's expansion will bring high-skilled jobs and world-leading drone manufacturing to Swindon, while strengthening defence supply chains.

"By backing Britain's defence industry, we strengthen both our economy and national security." Read more from Sky NewsBridget Phillipson launches deputy leader bidEx-chancellor to step down as Copper chairBadenoch accuses Starmer of lying about Mandelson Swindon has long had an important defence role, having produced the Supermarine Spitfire during the Second World War. The new Tekever-run site will also take over production of the RAF's StormShroud capability.

It comes after defence emerged as one of the key winners of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review in June. The defence budget will increase from 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 to 2.6% in 2027 - the equivalent of a £600m uplift.

In May, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced an extra £19m in investment of AR3 Tekever StormShroud drones for the RAF. Karl Brew, Tekever's director of defence, said the Swindon factory will play a "central role" in the production of AR3 EVO systems and ensure an "advanced, sovereign capability at pace and in close partnership with the UK defence ecosystem"..