Marvin OnumonuSTARK opened its new 40,000 square foot factory in Swindon, creating more than 100 skilled jobs in Wiltshire.
The site will make AI-enabled drones and loitering munitions, including the Virtus system, as part of the UK’s plans to boost domestic defence production.
The factory is STARK’s first outside Germany and was opened by Minister for the Armed Forces, Alistair Carns.
The facility supports the Government’s Strategic Defence Review, aiming to speed up and scale up uncrewed system production.
The factory will be fully operational in 2026 and will make thousands of drones, with STARK systems using UK and European warheads.
Carns said: “This facility is the Strategic Defence Review in action — building UK industrial strength, creating over 100 skilled jobs, and ensuring we can produce the drones and munitions that modern conflict demands.
“One year on, our partnership with Germany through the Trinity House Agreement is already delivering real industrial cooperation and investment at home.
“This site will strengthen supply chains, accelerate innovation, and give the UK and our allies the edge to stay ahead of our adversaries.”
Mike Armstrong, managing director of STARK UK, said: “We are delighted to be opening our first factory in the UK – which will strengthen European supply chains, boost UK sovereign defence production, and support the shift toward affordable, scalable autonomous systems.
“With over a century of advanced manufacturing heritage and the presence of Army HQ and Air Command, Swindon is the ideal place to build the next generation of AI-enabled systems, shaped directly by feedback from operators in Ukraine.
“Our first UK site will create more than 100 highly skilled jobs in its first year and marks just the start of our investment journey in the UK, supporting the MOD, Ukraine and wider European partners.”
National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce, said: “This is exactly what the creation of NAD Group is all about – working seamlessly with international allies and industry to deliver cutting-edge capabilities faster whilst driving economic growth across the UK.
“STARK’s investment demonstrates how our partnership approach under the Trinity House Agreement strengthens sovereign capability, secures supply chains and creates highly skilled jobs.
“This facility will help ensure our armed forces have the battle-winning technology they need.”
