The Defence secretary has resigned citing concerns about the Government's defence investment strategy.
John Healey, who championed the arrival of the UK’s largest drone factory in Swindon during a September visit, stepped down on Thursday, June 11 .
He said the country needs to commit to spending three per cent of GDP on defence by 2030.
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In his resignation letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Mr Healey said: "This is a letter I never expected to write, and I do so now with great regret and reluctance.
"We came into government recognising Britain faced a new era of threat, which demanded a new era for defence."
During his September visit to Swindon, Mr Healey described the town’s new drone factory as evidence of defence investment delivering benefits for local communities.
Drone manufacturer Tekever is investing more than £400 million into UK production over the next five years, transforming Swindon’s long-vacant Spectrum building into a state-of-the-art facility.
Mr Healey said: "When a country invests in defence – and we are making a record level of investment – there needs to be a defence dividend for people in the way of new jobs, new opportunities, a boost for small firms and British innovation.
"What we see here in Swindon is early proof that industrial strategy is beginning to work."
He also praised the town’s skills base as a key factor in Tekever’s decision to invest.
"Swindon College and the Institute of Technology are part of the attraction for companies like Tekever, and I’ve discussed that with them this afternoon," he said.
Tekever’s drones are already being used in Ukraine, and the company plans to create around 1,000 jobs in the UK over the next five years, with many of those in Swindon.
Mr Healey said: "This is Britain at the leading edge of drone technology.
"Swindon built Spitfires in the Second World War, and now it is drawing on that proud tradition – updating it for a new era of technology and new threats."
Karl Brew, head of Tekever’s defence unit, said the location choice was driven by Swindon’s access to both talent and transport links.
Mr Brew said: "The fact that we’ve chosen Swindon, alongside other companies already here, will create a really great ecosystem for autonomous systems in the UK."
The site has seen a lot of visits, with Sir Keir Starmer going along recently, and it is hoped it will soon start manufacturing.
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