The Defence Secretary has confirmed that the UK’s largest drone manufacturing facility will open in Swindon in 2026, marking a major milestone in Britain’s drive to expand sovereign capability and strengthen defence supply chains.
The £400m investment, part of Tekever’s Strategic Investment Programme OVERMATCH, will establish a 254,000 sq. ft. site dedicated to the full production lifecycle of unmanned aerial systems – from R&D and rapid prototyping through to manufacturing. It will bring core production of the AR5 platform to the UK for the first time, while scaling up existing work on the RAF’s AR3 StormShroud capability.
Swindon’s long association with defence – stretching back to its role in producing the iconic Spitfire during the Second World War – makes it a fitting location. The facility is expected to create up to 1,000 highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships over the next five years. The announcement comes as government spending on the UK defence industry hit £31.7bn last year, supported by the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, aimed at making defence an “engine for growth.”
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
“This new factory is a clear demonstration that this government is making defence an engine for growth across the UK. Tekever’s expansion will bring high-skilled jobs and world-leading drone manufacturing to Swindon, while strengthening defence supply chains.”
The move builds on Tekever’s recent acquisition of West Wales Airport and follows the RAF’s additional £19m investment in StormShroud drones earlier this year. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the UK has procured around £270m of Tekever drones, widely deployed to counter advanced Russian air defence systems.
Karl Brew, Director of Tekever Defence, added:
“Our decision to establish a new facility in Swindon reflects Tekever’s commitment to the UK. This site will play a central role in the production of our new AR3 EVO system and in creating up to 1,000 highly skilled jobs. It ensures we deliver advanced, sovereign capability at pace and in close partnership with the UK defence ecosystem.”
Video on the Tekever AR family of drones:
