'World-leading' drone warfare facility opens

A facility for testing uncrewed systems for warfare has opened in a town that is rapidly becoming a hub for the drone industry.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed its "world-leading" drone site has opened at Panattoni Park in Swindon, Wiltshire, creating hundreds of jobs.

It is the latest in a string of drone-related sites to open in the town, where eight companies with links to the industry have already been confirmed.

Will Stone, MP for Swindon, said: "Having the largest uncrewed testing facility in Europe based in Swindon will only increase investment in the town."

Stone added that the new facility is going to provide hundreds of jobs while supporting national security.

In Swindon, politicians say the town's position on the M4 corridor and proximity to other MoD and military sites has cemented its position for prospective drone companies.

Brigadier Stu Nasse, head of the UK Drone Coalition, said: "This location was chosen for all the right reasons: access to a technically proficient workforce, strong physical and digital infrastructure, and proximity to all facets of defence."

The new MoD development is based in Panattoni Park's 370-acre site and is four times the size of NATO's tactical drone centre in Latvia.

Panattoni Park's site was previously where Spitfires were manufactured in World War Two.

It then became Honda's UK car plant until 2021, when it closed at a loss to 3,500 jobs.

Elsewhere in Swindon, companies including Stark, Tekever and Icomat have already committed future operations to the town.

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