More than 100 skilled jobs will be created in Wiltshire through a new STARK drone manufacturing facility in Swindon, marking a significant step in the UK’s expansion of domestic uncrewed system production.
The development was outlined by the UK Ministry of Defence, which said the investment strengthens the UK’s defence industrial base and supports plans for increased sovereign manufacturing.
STARK has opened a 40,000-square-foot purpose-built factory in Swindon, its first production site outside Germany. The facility was opened by Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, and is scheduled to begin manufacturing AI-enabled uncrewed systems in the coming months.
The investment, as stated, supports the UK’s plan to make uncrewed systems more quickly. The site will build the Virtus loitering munition, which is already used in Ukraine and can be put together in about 10 minutes.
The factory is expected to be fully operational by 2026, producing thousands of drones each year.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the systems will use UK and European warheads and are intended for use against armoured targets.
UK–Germany Defence Partnership Expands
The opening of the facility forms part of growing defence industrial cooperation between the UK and Germany under the Trinity House Agreement. The agreement includes collaboration on next-generation battlefield technologies, such as autonomous systems and long-range strike capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence stated that this cooperation aims to strengthen NATO readiness while contributing to the government’s economic priorities.
At the opening, Minister for the Armed Forces Al Carns said:
“This facility is the Strategic Defence Review in action — building UK industrial strength, creating over 100 skilled jobs, and ensuring we can produce the drones and munitions that modern conflict demands. One year on, our partnership with Germany through the Trinity House Agreement is already delivering real industrial cooperation and investment at home. This site will strengthen supply chains, accelerate innovation, and give the UK and our allies the edge to stay ahead of our adversaries.”
Industry Statements and Expected Outcomes
STARK UK Managing Director, Mike Armstrong, said the Swindon site will support the expansion of autonomous system production across Europe.
He said:
“We are delighted to be opening our first factory in the UK — which will strengthen European supply chains, boost UK sovereign defence production, and support the shift toward affordable, scalable autonomous systems. Our first UK site will create more than 100 skilled jobs in its first year and marks just the start of our investment journey in the UK, supporting the MOD, Ukraine and wider European partners.”
National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce said the new site supports ongoing work to deliver new capabilities and economic activity. He said:
“This is exactly what the creation of NAD Group is all about, working seamlessly with international allies and industry to deliver cutting-edge capabilities faster whilst driving economic growth across the UK.”
Government figures released by the Ministry of Defence show defence industry investment reached £31.7 billion last year, a 6 percent real-terms increase. The Swindon facility follows the launch of the Defence Industrial Strategy, intended to broaden defence-related employment and support local economies.
Read more on 10,000 Jobs Lost in Canada’s Ontario Colleges After Cap on International Students & OPSEU
