- STARK, which develops and delivers unmanned weapon systems
for NATO and key partners including Ukraine, will begin
production outside of Germany for the first time.
- The company's first UK factory in Swindon will produce
unmanned, AI-supported systems in the historic home of the
Spitfire.
- The investment will strengthen UK and German leadership in
critical defence technologies including Loitering Munitions.
One of Europe's most promising defence technology companies,
STARK, has announced a landmark investment into the UK today
(Thursday 17th July). The expansion will see STARK's
AI-powered systems developed and produced outside of Germany for
the first time.
STARK was founded in 2024 in response to the critical operational
demand for new defence technology, driven by Russia's war of
aggression against Ukraine. The company's systems are AI-enabled,
software-defined, and designed for affordable mass production.
Thanks to STARK's footprint in Ukraine, all products are
developed with direct feedback from military operators and users,
ensuring its technology is optimised for performance, robustness
and the realities of modern conflict.
STARK launched its flagship Loitering Munition System ‘Virtus'
alongside its command and control software ‘Minerva' only 10
months after founding. With a strike radius of up to 100 km and a
5 kg payload, Virtus can strike strategic targets with precision
at a fraction of the cost of traditional weapon systems. Virtus
also boasts Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) capabilities,
crucial for operating on the frontline where access to launch
infrastructure is limited and every minute counts.
STARK's expansion is expected to create more than 100 highly
skilled UK jobs, furthering the Government's Strategic Defence
Review ambition to put the UK at the leading edge of innovation
in NATO.
Mike Armstrong, Managing Director of STARK UK,
said:
“The UK and Germany are world-leaders in new technology
that will define the battlefields of the future. We need rapid
and scalable production to protect our people, defend our
sovereignty and deter aggression. That means resilient supply
chains which stretch across Europe.”
“That is why STARK has chosen the UK as our first
production location outside of Germany – taking advantage of the
vast technological, industrial and defence expertise that exists
here to create AI-powered, unmanned systems to defend Europe and
NATO.”
The announcement is made as the UK and Germany announce an
unprecedented expansion of their defence and security
relationship, building on 2024's Trinity House Agreement.
STARK's 40,000 square foot Swindon factory will lead the
production of STARK's unmanned products outside of Germany. It
will once again put the town on the vanguard of European defence,
building on its historic role as a producer of the Supermarine
Spitfire during the Second World War.
, MP for Swindon North,
said:
"I'm proud to be working alongside STARK to bring defence
manufacturing back to Swindon, a town with a proud military
legacy and key producer of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire. It's
fitting that defence is returning to our town. This is the
direction of travel: creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs and
putting Swindon back at the heart of Britain's industrial future.
This is just the start with more businesses to follow."
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough
Council, said:
“This is fantastic news for Swindon and a strong
endorsement of our town's growing reputation in advanced
manufacturing and innovation. STARK's investment is a major step
forward in our ambition to position Swindon as a national leader
in defence advanced manufacturing.
“I'd like to personally thank Swindon North MP, , who has played a pivotal role
in bringing this investment to our town. I'm excited to see this
cutting-edge UAV technology take shape right here in
Swindon.”
