UK Defence Secretary to visit The Spectrum Building today and see plans for its refurbishment. New hub is part of ambitious £400m OVERMATCH strategy establishing UK innovation ecosystem and creating 1000+ jobs
TEKEVER, the European leader in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), announces a new manufacturing facility in The Spectrum Building, a historic, Grade II*-listed architectural icon designed by Sir Norman Foster, completed in 1982 and featured in James Bond film A View to a Kill in 1984. This fourth UK site marks TEKEVER’s efforts to bring scaled manufacturing of current and future TEKEVER platforms to the country – ensuring an increasingly efficient and resilient supply chain. The new 254 000 square foot site, its largest UK site to date, will comprise industrial and office facilities serving all elements of TEKEVER’s production lifecycle from rapid prototyping to the development of new platform concepts.
John Healey, UK Defence Secretary, will visit the new site later today and view plans for its upcoming refurbishment into a state-of-the-art facility, ahead of a planned opening in summer 2026.
Designed to bring the core production of TEKEVER’s larger AR5 UAS to the UK for the first time, as well as increase the scale of the production of the AR3, including the new AR3 EVO version launched at DSEI 2025, the hub will bring manufacturing back to Swindon which has strong historical ties to defence – formerly helping to produce the Supermarine Spitfire in WWII. Through its site, TEKEVER will once again facilitate Swindon’s involvement in defending borders, as it hosts the production of sovereign defence systems.
This follows the launch of TEKEVER’s OVERMATCH programme – a five-year initiative to create over 1000 highly skilled jobs and invest more than £400 million into British drone production and advanced AI warfare capabilities. In addition to being strategically selected due to Swindon’s growing position as a centre for UK drone activity, TEKEVER’s arrival aligns with Swindon Council’s broader economic strategy to foster high-tech hubs, drive inclusive growth and unlock new opportunities for local talent and supply chains. These factors, combined with the site’s location between London and Bristol, will allow TEKEVER to better reach suppliers and serve customers. The new site is also located in close proximity to Wroughton and the Wiltshire Microlight Centre, which was scouted and secured with the support of Swindon North’s MP, Will Stone, and will serve as the location where TEKEVER undertakes critical production validation flights, completing its supply chain.
As part of a broader initiative to nurture both young and local talent across the UK to create a highly-skilled, well-paid workforce, TEKEVER will continue its commitment to hiring local candidates – drawing upon the strong talent pool Swindon’s dynamic and innovative colleges provide, amongst other talent sources from the neighbouring cities of Bristol and London.
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.”