Defence drone company opens its biggest UK site

Defence Secretary John Healey (centre) visited when the news was announced on Monday

A defence drone company has opened its biggest UK site in a Grade II* listed building, where it says it will make drones for surveillance and intelligence.

Tekever - which has its main bases in Portugal and UK - is the latest drone company to announce a site in Swindon in Wiltshire, with Defence Secretary John Healey visiting on Monday.

The company's new facility will be at The Spectrum Building, built in 1982 and designed by Sir Norman Foster, which featured in James Bond film A View to a Kill.

Tekever said it would produce one of its largest drones in the UK for the first time at the site, and increase production of another.

Councillor Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, described the company's decision as a "huge endorsement" for the town and efforts to get businesses into the area.

Tekever will be taking over the listed Spectrum Building in Swindon

"We look forward to showcasing Swindon's strategic strengths and innovation potential so we build a strong reputation as a national leader in defence manufacturing" he added.

Tekever's new site will be its fourth in the UK, joining other drone companies Stark and Munin Dynamics in the town.

Last week, drone company Flyby also announced it wanted to set up in Swindon, with its CEO Jon Parker saying the town was "on a new trajectory and Flyby wants to be a significant part of that".

Tekever said it wanted to help develop young, local talent for its workforce in Wiltshire.

The company will make two types of drones in Swindon

MP for Swindon North, Will Stone, said he was "incredibly proud" it had chosen to open a base in the town.

He added he wanted a "drone cluster of excellence" to be established in Swindon, which would create "highly skilled, well-paid jobs while also fostering new education and training opportunities for young people".