UAV manufacturers flock to UK as MoD spends £270 million on Tekever drones for Ukraine
The AR3 was acquired by the RAF, where it is called StormShroud. (Photo: RAF)
On 15 September 2025, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that Tekever would open the UK’s largest drone production facility in Swindon in 2026. The news follows a recent trend of several other manufacturers that have supplied drones to Ukraine also announcing the opening of UK facilities.
Tekever’s 254,000sq ft site – its fourth site in the UK – will produce the AR5, AR3 and the new AR3 EVO, which was revealed at DSEI 2025, as reported by Shephard. The announcement followed the launch of Tekever’s OVERMATCH programme, which is a five-year initiative to create more than 1,000 highly skilled jobs and invest more than £400 million (US$539.36 million) into British drone production and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) warfare capabilities.
The company also confirmed that the UK had spent approximately £270 million on Tekever uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAVs) since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, including contributions from
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Protecting the horizon]()
Protecting the horizon
Make it an unfair fight, with the EA-37B. Deny, degrade, and disrupt the enemy.
-
![Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy]()
Peru cleared for possible $3.42 billion F-16 Block 70 buy
The potential foreign military sale covers 12 F-16 aircraft as well as related training and equipment support, the DSCA notice said.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF]()
DSEI 2025: UK’s new Air Chief Marshal outlines nuclear, space and IAMD as three key priorities for RAF
Aiming to field a more integrated, agile force, the military leader said in a keynote speech that focus on these core areas would be increased to help the RAF deter and meet challenges in the new threat landscape.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
