Defence secretary Dan Jarvis has officially opened Europe's biggest drone testing centre in Swindon.

It is hoped the new Uncrewed Systems Centre (USC) will help the UK’s Armed Forces stay at the leading edge of innovation and take advantage of constantly evolving technologies.

Current figures show that Ukraine uses roughly 200,000 drones a month and there were 700 drones launched per day at the height of conflict in Iran.

The centre, which is based at the DroneTEX facility in Swindon, will serve as the focal point for the development and testing of the latest drone technology and drive collaboration with industry, allies and partners.

The centre will work with British companies, support SMEs and create jobs.

The USC aims to harness the power of data and digital integration.
 

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

"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."