Europe’s largest drone testing centre has opened in Swindon as part of efforts to accelerate defence innovation and bring new technology into service more quickly.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP opened the Uncrewed Systems Centre, which is based at the new DroneTEX facility.
The Ministry of Defence said the centre will act as the UK’s focal point for the development and testing of drone technology, bringing together industry, allies and partners.
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The facility covers 545,000 sq ft, which the MOD said is equivalent to more than 10 football pitches.
The centre is intended to help the Armed Forces keep pace with rapidly changing drone technology, with lessons being drawn from recent conflicts including Ukraine and Iran.
The MoD said Ukraine uses around 200,000 drones a month, while 700 drones per day were launched at the height of the conflict in Iran.
The new centre will work with British companies, including SMEs, and is expected to support exports and create skilled jobs.
The Defence Secretary met defence industry leaders, investors and military specialists during a visit to the facility.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis MP said: “The character of warfare is changing, and it is changing fast. From Ukraine to the Middle East, we are seeing right now how uncrewed systems are rapidly evolving and reshaping conflicts – on land, in the air and at sea
“Our new DroneTEX facility at the heart of our Uncrewed Systems Centre is Europe’s largest drone test and development facility, and will help us ensure the UK embraces technologies that are redefining warfare.
“Where once new technology could take years from inception to reaching our Armed Forces, we will now be able to develop and field new tech in a matter of weeks – because in this new era, those who innovate fastest will win.”
The MOD said the centre will also support work on data, digital integration, AI and autonomy, including through Task Force RAID, which stands for Rapid AI Delivery.
The Strategic Defence Review announced a £2 billion increase in autonomy investment during this parliament, taking total defence investment in autonomous systems to £4 billion.
The MOD said it has spent more than £450 million on uncrewed systems since July 2024, including £300 million on research and development.
It also said UK Defence Innovation has invested more than £142 million in the past year to help scale up production of drones and anti-drone weapons.
UK Defence Innovation is the focal point for innovation within the MOD and has a ringfenced annual budget of at least £400 million to help UK companies scale up prototypes more quickly.
