Swindon has previously been described as having a “large drone cluster”, but that reputation is now being significantly strengthened. The town is set to host the UK’s largest drone factory, with companies including Stark, Tekever, DSEI Flyby and Munin Dynamics choosing to invest locally. Their continued interest prompts an important question: what is it about Swindon that makes it such an attractive base for drone and defence innovation?
Much of Swindon’s appeal lies in its industrial heritage. A long-standing centre for manufacturing and engineering, the town offers the skilled workforce and supply-chain capability that defence and aerospace companies rely on. As Swindon North MP Will Stone has noted, the area’s strategic location and depth of technical talent make it an easy place to sell as an investment destination.
This local growth also closely aligns with national priorities. The government’s Defence Industrial Strategy 2025 places unmanned systems and autonomous technologies at the heart of modern defence, recognising drones as critical to future warfare, surveillance and intelligence capabilities. The strategy also emphasises the need for sovereign manufacturing capacity and regional defence ecosystems that can innovate at pace.
Swindon’s expanding drone cluster is a clear example of this strategy in action. By combining advanced manufacturing capability with policy alignment and private investment, the town is well positioned to play a meaningful role in delivering the UK’s defence ambitions, while supporting high-skilled jobs and long-term economic growth in the Thames Valley.
To learn more about how the Chamber engages with the Defence Industry, please see here.
By Freya Thomson, Policy and Inward Investment Administrator, TVCC
