Swindon cements reputation as UK’s autonomous systems powerhouse

The town is now on course to see more than a thousand highly-skilled jobs created over the coming years as a result of major defence and autonomous systems investments secured since the strategy was published.

When the national strategy was presented to Parliament on 8 September last year, it explicitly pointed to Swindon as a key national hub, holding the ingenuity and world-leading capability needed to put the UK at the leading edge of defence innovation.

The recognition was the culmination of intensive, proactive groundwork led by Swindon Borough Council’s Inward Investment and Economic Development teams who have been working across regional defence clusters, national stakeholders and industry innovators to help the Council position Swindon as an agile, technically proficient and strategically-located destination.

Key to the town’s burgeoning reputation as a defence technology hub has been the strong alignment between the Council and Swindon North MP Will Stone, who has acted as a parliamentary champion and figurehead for the town’s defence ambitions.

Over the past 12 months, that strategic foundation has transformed into tangible industrial and economic reality through two flagship investments, namely:

• The Ministry of Defence (MOD) Uncrewed Testing Centre at Panattoni Park: In the largest new defence investment in the South West this year, the MOD secured over 500,000 sq ft at Panattoni Park (Unit S545 at the former Honda manufacturing site). Four times larger than NATO’s tactical drone centre in Latvia, this world-class indoor testing, development, and certification centre for uncrewed systems anchors the nation’s drone evaluation pipeline and is expected to create hundreds of highly skilled technical roles.
• TEKEVER’s Advanced Drone Hub at the Spectrum Building: Expanding its UK manufacturing footprint following operational successes with frontline systems such as the British-made StormShroud, drone pioneer TEKEVER selected Swindon’s iconic Spectrum Building for its next-generation engineering and production operations, delivering a critical boost to sovereign aerospace manufacturing.

Throughout both landmark projects, the Council took a leading, hands-on role in steering the investments with council officers working closely with site developers Panattoni, commercial property partners, company leadership and central government to match complex technical requirements with Swindon’s top commercial sites.

An additional five firms specialising in unmanned aircraft manufacturing, including ICOMAT, Shadowlink, Xtend, MyDefence and STARK Defence, have also either set up or announced plans to bring jobs and investment to the Borough.

These firms have also benefitted from council officers providing dedicated support across the planning and regulatory process, facilitating seamless access to regional infrastructure and connecting investors into local skills pipelines and supply chains.

Councillor Gary Sumner, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said: “Twelve months ago, the Government highlighted Swindon as a vital driver of UK defence innovation. Today, we can see the real, tangible impact of that vision right across our town.

“Securing the MOD’s new indoor testing centre at Panattoni Park and welcoming TEKEVER into the Spectrum Building demonstrates exactly what can be achieved when a council is proactive, commercial and focused on growth.

“Our inward investment teams have worked tirelessly to find the right sites, remove barriers, and guide these world-class innovators every step of the way.

“This isn’t just about major facilities, it’s about delivering high-value, well-paid, skilled jobs for local people in an industry that is critical to our national resilience and future prosperity.

“From our proud railway heritage to pioneering uncrewed technology and advanced engineering, Swindon continues to lead from the front. We are proud to be driving this national mission and look forward to welcoming even more cutting-edge businesses to the Borough.”

Swindon’s growing reputation in defence technology is already attracting major investment, new businesses and highly-skilled jobs.

Following the arrival of the MOD, TEKEVER and other sector leaders, the Council is working with government and industry partners to bring even more opportunities to the Borough.

With a strong pipeline of enquiries, Swindon is well placed to secure further investment and create hundreds more skilled jobs in the years ahead.

Picture: Councillor Gary Sumner, Leader of Swindon Borough Council (second left), was shown around TEKEVER's Spectrum Building earlier this summer