German Defence Firm Stark to Establish Drone Manufacturing Facility in Swindon, Creating Over 100 Jobs

Stark, a German defence technology company established in 2024, is set to launch its first site outside Germany by opening a 3,700 square meter (40,000 square feet) drone manufacturing facility in Swindon, Wiltshire. This expansion will create over 100 skilled jobs and reinforce Swindon’s longstanding military heritage; the town was once vital in producing the Supermarine Spitfire. Stark develops unmanned weapon systems for NATO, and the Swindon factory will manufacture its Virtus loitering munition system, which features vertical take-off and landing, a strike range of up to 100 km, and a 5 kg payload. Stark’s UK operation intends to leverage the nation’s robust technological and defence expertise, furthering the ambitions of the UK and Germany to jointly bolster European security through advanced drones and resilient supply chains. Local officials and Members of Parliament have welcomed the investment as a vote of confidence in Swindon’s industrial future and as part of broader UK-German defence cooperation under the Trinity House Agreement signed in 2024, positioning the UK as a leader in defence innovation and advanced manufacturing. Stark’s move comes amid increased defence spending in both countries, with Swindon Council leaders eager for the town to become a national hub for cutting-edge drone technology.