Defense Express reported the information.The United Kingdom is investing in drone production. Defense Secretary John Healey announced plans for the country’s largest drone factory in Swindon, covering the full cycle from research to manufacturing.According to UK Defence Journal, Tekever, a company based in Portugal and the UK, is expanding production, boosting AR3 drone output and introducing AR5 drone manufacturing in the country for the first time.“The construction of this new factory is also important for Ukraine. Earlier this year, it was reported that the United Kingdom allocated several tens of millions as part of its defense aid to purchase drones for Ukraine, specifically, drones from Tekever,” the outlet noted.In 2023, it was revealed that the company would supply its drones to Ukraine, specifically the AR3 vertical take-off and landing reconnaissance drone, which weighs up to 25 kg, carries a 4 kg payload, flies for 8–16 hours, and has a range of 100 km at 70–90 km/h.Tekever has been supplying drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces since 2022, adapting its systems based on combat experience. Their flagship AR3 vertical take-off and landing reconnaissance drone has logged over 10,000 flight hours on the front, helping destroy Russian military equipment worth billions of dollars. Ukraine also operates Tekever’s operational-tactical AR5 drone.In April this year, it was announced that Tekever opened a representative office in Ukraine and plans to involve Ukrainian specialists in the research and development of their unmanned aerial vehicles.