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UK’s Largest Drone Production Site to Be Built by Tekever in Swindon
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![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
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Portuguese defense firm Tekever will establish the UK’s largest drone production facility in Swindon, UK Defence Secretary John Healey announced, UK Defence Journal reported on September 16.
The 254,000 square foot site, set to open in 2026, will be the first producer of the AR5 drone and scale up production of the AR3 platform currently used by the Royal Air Force.
The new facility is expected to create 1,000 high-skilled jobs and strengthen the UK’s defense manufacturing capabilities.
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Healey emphasized that this investment is part of the government’s broader strategy to boost defense production and supply chain resilience across the UK.
Tekever’s expansion comes alongside increased government support for drones and autonomous systems.
The RAF recently committed £19 million (25.9$ million) to Tekever’s StormShroud AR3 drones, and UK purchases for Ukraine have reached £270 million (368$ million) since 2022.
These drones have been instrumental in taking out advanced Russian air defences, UK Defence Journal writes.
Swindon, with its historical ties to UK defense manufacturing, including support for the Spitfire during World War II, will now play a key role in this new phase of defense innovation.
Previously, it was reported that Tekever planned to open a representative office in Ukraine to enhance and accelerate maintenance of its drones used by Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
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