In a significant boost to UK defence manufacturing and local employment, a major new factory for producing military-grade drones has officially opened its doors in Swindon.
Strategic Investment in UK Defence
The 40,000 square foot facility, which is purpose-built, is owned by the German defence technology firm, Stark. This marks the company's first manufacturing plant in Britain. The opening ceremony was conducted on Thursday, November 20, by the UK's Armed Forces minister, Al Carns.
Minister Carns emphasised the factory's critical role, stating it would equip the UK to produce the drones and munitions required by "modern conflict demands". He also highlighted that the site is a direct result of the Trinity House Agreement, a partnership between the UK and Germany focused on expanding industrial cooperation on next-generation battlefield technologies.
Production and Global Impact
The Swindon plant is scheduled to be fully operational by 2026 and is set to create 100 highly skilled jobs once production begins next year. It will manufacture thousands of drones, including the Virtus loitering munition.
This specific drone model has already seen successful deployment in Ukraine and boasts the remarkable capability of being assembled in just 10 minutes. Stark's unmanned systems are already in use by NATO forces and other allies, including the Ukrainian army.
Strengthening European Security and Supply Chains
Mike Armstrong, the Managing Director of Stark UK, expressed his delight at establishing the company's first UK base. He confirmed that Swindon was selected as "the ideal place" to develop the next generation of AI-enabled systems, with designs being directly influenced by feedback from operators in Ukraine.
Armstrong added that this initial site represents just the start of Stark's investment journey in the UK. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that this collaboration under the Trinity House Agreement will not only boost NATO’s collective security but also deliver on the government’s economic growth objectives.
The new facility is poised to strengthen European supply chains, accelerate innovation in autonomous systems, and enhance the UK's sovereign defence production capabilities.
