A new drone factory will open in Swindon to help produce unrelated air systems that the United Kingdom has sent to combat Russia in Ukraine, the government will announce today.
The installation of 254,000 square feet will be operated by Tekever and should open its doors in 2026, the defense secretary John Healey will say a visit later.
It will create 1,000 jobs and will bring the basic production of the Ar5 drone for the first time to the United Kingdom, while increasing the capacity of existing AR3 production.
The United Kingdom bought 270 million pounds sterling in Tekever drones to help Ukrainian forces destroy advanced Russian air defense systems since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion in February 2022.
It will be the fourth British site of the manufacturer and its largest so far.
“This new factory is a clear demonstration that this government makes the defense of a growth engine across the United Kingdom,” said Healey.
“The expansion of Tekever will provide highly qualified jobs and a manufacturing of advanced drones in Swindon, while strengthening the defense supply chains.
“By supporting the British defense industry, we strengthen both our economy and national security.”
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Swindon has long played an important defense role, after producing Spitfire supermarine during the Second World War.
The new site managed by Tekever will also resume the production of the RAF Stormshroud capacity.
This comes after defense has become one of the main winners of Chancellor Rachel Reeves expenditure examination in June.
The defense budget will go from 2.3% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025 to 2.6% in 2027 – the equivalent of an increase of 600 million pounds sterling.
In May, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced an additional 19 million pounds of additional sterling on Ar3 Tekever Stormshroud drones for RAF.
Karl Brew, Tekever Defense Director, said the Swindon factory will play a “central role” in the production of AR3 EVO systems and would ensure a “advanced sovereign capacity in Pace and in close partnership with the British defense ecosystem”.