Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry visits Mildenhall business

25 Mar 2026

On Wednesday 25 February Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, officially opened Ukrspecsystems new facility in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

Ukrspecsystems is Ukraine’s biggest drone manufacturing company. The company announced last year that it was establishing a new factory in Mildenhall as part of its expansion and £200 million investment into the UK over the next five years. 

Their UK expansion will enable Ukrspecsystems to export to allied markets, assure supply chain resilience, and provide job opportunities. 

Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi was also part of the visit that included a tour the factory floor, the official opening of the facility and a round table discussion. 

Rory Chamberlain, Managing Director of Ukrspecsystems hosted the round table where Luke Pollard MP chaired the discussions which focused on how to unlock economic, educational and social opportunities presented by defence investment and how to overcome the challenges faced. 

It was highlighted that Mildenhall is an untapped location for a defence hub for innovation and collaboration. The town is strategically located between research and development and academic institutions in Cambridge and Norwich, which could be utilised to advance the knowledge and capabilities of the UK defence sector. 

Skills development and training could also be supported by The Eastern Education Group and West Suffolk College who have recently launched a Gene Haas Centre for Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, helping increase the skills required for current and future needs of the industry.

The minister also heard how Mildenhall is well connected to the A11 and A14 trade routes, but also sits in close proximity to RAF Mildenhall, RAF Lakenheath and RAF Feltwell, making it a prime location for supporting supply-chains.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for West Suffolk Council and Chair of the East of England Regional Defence and Security Cluster was in attendance along with regional business support providers, educational representatives and senior figures from the defence sector.

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, said: “West Suffolk, and in particular Mildenhall, represents the ideal location for any new defence business, where they will join an established cluster of advanced manufacturing and engineering (AME) businesses, including ammunitions manufacturers.

“Establishing Mildenhall as a central hub for defence innovation, advanced manufacturing and supply-chain servicing will support local economic growth and career opportunities. 

“Having built my career in the defence sector, I can vouch that it is a great career path that is both challenging and rewarding.”  

Laraine Moody, Group Principal for University and Professional Development at Eastern Education Group, also participated in the roundtable discussion.

Laraine Moody, Group Principal commented: “The roundtable discussions at Ukrspecsystems highlighted a once in a generation opportunity for young people in Mildenhall and the surrounding area. Major defence and advanced manufacturing investment like this creates real momentum to inspire the next generation – particularly young women – to see STEM not as an abstract subject, but as a pathway to meaningful, well paid careers close to home.

“By embedding apprenticeships, technical education and clear progression routes from school into skilled employment, we can open doors for more young people to enter engineering, digital and advanced manufacturing roles. Working alongside employers, our role is to ensure these opportunities are visible, accessible and genuinely inclusive, so that local talent – especially girls and young women – can thrive in the industries shaping the future.”

Reflecting on the event, Rory Chamberlin, said: “Ukrspecsystems’ new factory delivers what matters: secure supply and secure resource for Ukraine, and a more resilient UK defence industrial base. The Mildenhall location, combined with collaboration with West Suffolk Council and The Eastern Education Group, will enable us to tap regional skills and expertise and form the relationships that make production here possible. 

“By anchoring manufacturing in Suffolk and working with regional SMEs, we are creating a trusted supply chain to build the drones relied upon by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and also now available to our own Armed Forces. This is ‘Made with Ukraine’ in action - a practical expression of the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership, bringing real industrial capability to East Anglia today.”

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