Europe’s largest drone testing centre has officially opened in Swindon, representing a shift in UK defence innovation – based on lessons learned from both the Ukraine and Iran conflicts. The Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) – based at the new DroneTEX facility in Swindon – is designed to keep the UK’s Armed Forces at the edge of innovation, allowing the rapid development and fielding of capabilities in weeks, not years. The aim of the centre is to support small British businesses, unlock exports and create jobs as part of a sustained defence spending boost.
It will be the UK’s focal point for the development and testing of the latest drone technology and drive collaboration with industry, allies and partners. At 545,000 sq ft, DroneTEX is the size of more than 10 football pitches and will rapidly develop and field new capabilities.
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.”
Reshaping Conflict
He added: “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.”
This state-of-the-art centre will work with British companies, supporting SMEs, unlocking exports and creating high-skilled jobs.
It will harness the power of data and digital integration as the UK embraces AI and autonomy, including through the new Task Force RAID (Rapid AI Delivery), already announced by the Prime Minister and the Chief of the Defence Staff.
The Strategic Defence Review announced a major increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this parliament, taking total defence investment in autonomous systems to £4 billion.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has spent over £450 million on uncrewed systems, including £300 million on their research and development since July 2024. In the last year, UK Defence Innovation has injected over £142 million in rapid investment to scale up production of drones and anti-drone weapons.
UKDI is the focal point for innovation within the MOD, backed by a ringfenced annual budget of at least £400 million, enabling UK companies to scale up innovative prototypes rapidly.
Image: The Defence Secretary, Dan Jarvis MP met defence industry leaders, investors and military specialists as he toured the new Uncrewed Systems Centre facility. UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
