Jessica O'ConnorHundreds of highly skilled jobs are being supported by the RAF’s new UK made drones, known as ‘StormShroud’, which come into operation today, Friday 2nd May.
The StormShroud drone is a first-of-its-kind drone that aims to make the RAF’s combat aircraft more survivable.
The drones offer a step change in capability by using a BriteStorm signal jammer to disrupt enemy radar at long ranges.
The drones support aircraft like Typhoon and F35 Lightning, by confusing enemy radars and allowing combat aircraft to attack targets unseen.
The RAF is investing an initial £19m into the drones, which are made in the UK and directly support 200 highly skilled engineering jobs at multiple UK locations already from West Wales to Somerset, with further opportunities expected in future.
In addition, British-Portuguese tech company Tekever, who manufacture the drones in the UK, plan to invest a further £400m over the next five years across the UK and create up to 1,000 more highly skilled jobs.
The Prime Minister will visit to a Leonardo UK site in the South East today to see first-hand the expertise that goes into manufacturing the drones, and meeting the staff involved in delivering it, including many engineering apprentices representing the next generation of British defence industry excellence.
Starmer said: “Investment in our defence is an investment in this country’s future.
“Putting money behind our Armed Forces and defence industry is safeguarding our economic and national security by putting money back in the pockets of hard-working British people and protecting them for generations to come.”
He added: “Together with our allies, this government is taking the bold action needed to stand up to Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security, which is vital for us to deliver our Plan for Change and improve lives of working people up and down the country.
“It is a privilege to meet and learn from the young minds driving innovation in defence technology, and we will continue to invest in the industries of the future to deliver security and opportunity for the British people through our Plan for Change.”
