A military drone factory has officially opened in Swindon as the 海角视频 prepares to step up manufacturing of unmanned weapon systems.
The purpose-built 40,000 sq ft plant, announced earlier this year, is German defence firm Stark's first in Britain and is set to create 100 jobs when production starts next year.
The factory was opened on Thursday (November 20) by Armed Forces minister Al Carns, who said the site would help the 海角视频 produce the drones and munitions that "modern conflict demands".
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Stark's unmanned weapon systems are already used by Nato and other allied armed forces, including the Ukrainian army.
"One year on, our partnership with Germany through the Trinity House Agreement is already delivering real industrial cooperation and investment at home," said Mr Carns.
"This site will strengthen supply chains, accelerate innovation, and give the 海角视频 and our allies the edge to stay ahead of our adversaries."
The factory will be operational by 2026 and will produce thousands of drones.
The Virtus loitering munition, which will be built in Swindon, has already been successfully deployed in Ukraine and can be assembled in just 10 minutes.
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Under the Trinity House Agreement, the 海角视频 and Germany are expanding industrial cooperation on next-generation battlefield technologies, from long-range strike weapons to autonomous systems.
The MoD said this would boost NATO’s collective security, whilst delivering on the government’s Plan for Change through economic growth.
Mike Armstrong, managing director of Stark 海角视频, said: "We are delighted to be opening our first factory in the 海角视频 - which will strengthen European supply chains, boost 海角视频 sovereign defence production, and support the shift toward affordable, scalable autonomous systems."
Mr Armstrong said Swindon was "the ideal place" to build the next generation of AI-enabled systems, shaped directly by feedback from operators in Ukraine.
"Our first 海角视频 site will create more than 100 highly skilled jobs in its first year and marks just the start of our investment journey in the 海角视频, supporting the MoD, Ukraine and wider European partners," he added.