Portuguese defense firm TEKEVER is set to construct its largest drone manufacturing facility in the UK to support London’s push to expand its domestic weapons production.
The 254,000-square-foot (23,593 square meters) hub will rise inside the iconic Spectrum Building in Swindon and is scheduled to open in summer 2026. It will be TEKEVER’s fourth site in the UK.
The establishment of the drone manufacturing facility is part of TEKEVER’s Overmatch program that sees the creation of at least 1,000 highly skilled jobs on top of 400 million pounds ($545 million) investment into British drone production and advanced AI warfare capabilities.
The facility will oversee the full production cycle of unmanned aerial systems, from prototyping and design to large-scale manufacturing.
For the first time, core production of the company’s AR5 drones will take place in the UK, alongside expanded output of the AR3 and its new AR3 EVO variant. Local flight validation will be handled in nearby Wroughton.
TEKEVER Defense Unit Head Karl Brew said the company is proud to contribute to the economic development of 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,” he said.
Swindon as ‘Drone Cluster of excellence’
Swindon North MP Will Stone said that he was “incredibly proud” TEKEVER had chosen the town as the site of its latest UK expansion.
He added that the move supports his push to establish a “Drone Cluster of excellence” in Swindon, creating well-paid jobs while opening new education and training opportunities for local youth.
Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said that TEKEVER’s decision to invest in the Spectrum Building was a “huge endorsement” of the town’s efforts to attract cutting-edge firms.
“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,” Robbins added.
The UK has been scaling up investments in drones and artificial intelligence as militaries worldwide race to integrate autonomous systems. The government said its defense investment reached 31.7 billion pounds ($42 billion) in 2024.
Defense Secretary John Healey said that the new factory is a “clear demonstration that this government is making defense an engine for growth across the UK.”
“By backing Britain’s defense industry, we strengthen both our economy and national security,” he said.
