The 254,000 square foot hub will house industrial and office facilities covering all stages of Tekever’s production lifecycle, from rapid prototyping to the development of new platform concepts. It will bring the production of the larger AR5 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to the UK for the first time and increase manufacturing of the AR3, including the AR3 EVO version launched at DSEI 2025.
The facility is scheduled to open in summer 2026 as part of Tekever’s OVERMATCH programme, a five-year strategy to create more than 1,000 highly skilled jobs and invest over £400 million in British drone production and advanced AI warfare capabilities. The Swindon site builds on the town’s historical links to defence manufacturing, including its role in producing the Supermarine Spitfire during the Second World War.
Tekever said the new facility will strengthen its UK supply chain while contributing to Swindon’s position as a growing centre for drone activity. The site’s location between London and Bristol will also help the company to reach suppliers and serve customers more efficiently.
Karl Brew, Tekever Head of Defence Unit, said: “We are proud to contribute to the economic development of Swindon, a town with a strong manufacturing heritage and capability for much more. Our new facility will not only increase Tekever’s capacity to innovate and meet the rapidly evolving needs of our clientele, but also enable our business to operate more efficiently as we continue to scale our ambitions in line with our fervent commitment to transforming the UK’s defence industry into a leading powerhouse on the global stage.”
Will Stone, MP for Swindon North, commented: “As MP for Swindon North, I’m incredibly proud that Tekever has chosen Swindon as the location for its latest UK expansion. It has been a pleasure to work alongside Tekever and the Swindon Borough Council to showcase the strengths of our town as the ideal base for such an innovative company to deliver its AR3 and AR5 UAS. This announcement supports my ongoing commitment to establishing a Drone Cluster of excellence in Swindon, creating highly skilled, well-paid jobs while also fostering new education and training opportunities for young people in our community.”
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, added: “I am personally delighted that Tekever has chosen the iconic Spectrum building as the home of its largest UK site and that it will conduct UAV testing and pilot training at the Science and Innovation Park in Wroughton, further embedding its presence within the Borough. Tekever’s decision to invest in Swindon is a huge endorsement of our recent efforts to attract cutting-edge companies to the area and the highly-skilled jobs they bring. We look forward to showcasing Swindon’s strategic strengths and innovation potential so we build a strong reputation as a national leader in defence manufacturing.”
