The UK’s domestic manufacturing capacity for uncrewed aerial systems has been significantly enhanced with the opening of a new STARK production facility in Swindon, Wiltshire.
The purpose-built 40,000 sq ft factory, officially opened by the Minister for the Armed Forces, Alistair Carns, on 20 November 2025, represents a major expansion of the UK’s defence industrial base. The facility, which is STARK’s first outside Germany, is set to create more than 100 highly skilled jobs in its first year, with roles in software development, electronics, and aerospace engineering. This development offers new opportunities for UK-based companies to engage with an expanding European defence supplier.
The establishment of the factory directly supports the objectives outlined in the government’s Strategic Defence Review, which committed to increasing the sovereign production of uncrewed systems. Production of a range of AI-enabled systems is scheduled to begin in the coming months, with the facility expected to be fully operational by 2026, manufacturing thousands of units. Among the systems to be built is the Virtus loitering munition, a platform that has already been successfully deployed in Ukraine. The investment underscores the growing importance of battle-proven, rapidly deployable systems for modern armed forces and creates a new domestic production line for these critical assets.
This move also reflects the strengthening defence industrial partnership between the United Kingdom and Germany under the Trinity House Agreement. The accord aims to expand industrial cooperation on next-generation battlefield technologies, including autonomous systems and long-range strike weapons, thereby boosting NATO’s collective security. For the UK supply chain, this translates into direct involvement in multinational defence projects and the integration of UK and European-sourced components, such as warheads for STARK’s systems. The focus is on producing affordable and scalable systems capable of defeating heavily armoured targets.
Government and industry officials have highlighted the strategic importance of the investment. National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce noted that the facility demonstrates how international partnerships can strengthen sovereign capability and secure supply chains. The development aligns with the government’s Defence Industrial Strategy and follows a reported £31.7 billion government investment in UK defence industries last year, reinforcing the sector’s role as a driver for economic growth and technological advancement. Businesses in the defence sector should monitor developments as the factory scales up to full operational capacity.
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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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