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Defence cash could bring drones jobs to Wales

Aled Scourfield
BBC News
BBC A Tekever AR3 drone, which is shaped like a plane with large wings and a tail, in a fieldBBC
The AR3 drone being tested at West Wales Airport in Aberporth

The boss of a Portuguese aerospace company, which builds surveillance drones for Ukraine, says he expects an increase in defence spending to have a "tremendous impact" on his Welsh base.

Ricardo Mendes, chief executive of Tekever, plans to expand the firm's capabilities at Parc Aberporth, Ceredigion, and a "lot of announcements" are expected over the next few years.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed in the Spring statement the UK government will increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, and to 3% by 2029.

Around 50 people work at the site near West Wales Airport and Tekever plans to employ more.

Tekever Man with beard crouching next to a grey surveillance drone in a factory.Tekever
Ricardo Mendes says extra defence spending could lead to more jobs in Ceredigion

Speaking from Lisbon, Mr Mendes said the increase in defence spending across Europe was about the need for "self-reliance and sovereignty" and there was a realisation that the capability needed to be "built within Europe".

Mr Mendes said increased investment was needed in "autonomous systems" and the UK was at the forefront of those efforts.

These types of technologies would sustain "warfare and peacekeeping in the future" over the next five to 10 years, he said.

Mr Mendes added the Aberporth base was a "fundamental part" of their infrastructure, "not only for our UK activities, but for global activities".

"Currently, you have around 50 people in Wales. The vast majority are jobs that were created locally," he said.

"We intend to grow this capability as we go and I would expect a lot of announcements in the coming years.

"It is a fundamental part of the fabric and infrastructure that Tekever is putting in place to serve Europe.

"There is definitely a tremendous impact and you will see that in the coming years."

Man in his 50s with a beard wearing a dark grey jacket and white shirt standing on a hill overlooking Cardigan Bay
Councillor Clive Davies says defence jobs could create opportunities for young people

Cardigan Bay provides a secure area for the testing of missiles and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or drones.

Aberporth is also the site of Qinetiq which provides testing and evaluation of air launched weapon systems and drones.

It previously employed 700 people, including local councillor Clive Davies who said an expansion of defence jobs in the area could create new opportunities for young people and help move away from tourism and the public sector.

"This area has a unique selling point in terms of the bay," he said.

"It's been used for testing this kind of equipment for a long time, drones and other forms of equipment.

"The economy here would benefit greatly, if it comes with hundreds of jobs to provide high level, skilled jobs, in science and mechanical engineering."

Cymdeithas y Cymod (Fellowship of Reconciliation in Wales) are against spending more money on defence.

Chairman Robat Idris said he "believed in peaceful negotiation" instead of "preparing for war".

"This isn't just about increasing spending on defence. It's about preparing people, mentally, for going to war," he said.

"It goes against all civilised principles."