GKN Aerospace and Anduril UK Form Strategic Partnership to Advance Uncrewed Aircraft for UK Defence

GKN Aerospace has signed a strategic teaming agreement with autonomous platform provider Anduril Industries UK aimed at accelerating the development of advanced uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and rotorcraft technologies for future UK defence programmes. The partnership is designed to deliver cutting-edge capability to the UK Armed Forces while strengthening the country’s sovereign industrial and manufacturing base.

The agreement positions the partners to compete for several key UK defence contracts expected to be awarded in early 2026. The formal signing ceremony took place on 9 December at GKN Aerospace’s Cowes facility on the Isle of Wight. The event was attended by Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley, who underlined the importance of such collaborations in supporting UK manufacturing and highlighted the potential creation of more than 100 new jobs at the Cowes site through future work packages.

Initially, the collaboration will focus on the UK Government’s forthcoming Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) programme and the British Army’s Project NYX. Project NYX aims to deliver a next-generation uncrewed rotorcraft capability for the Army, enhancing operational effectiveness in complex and contested environments. Archer’s expertise in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft will complement the combined capabilities of GKN Aerospace and Anduril UK in support of this programme.

Under the terms of the agreement, GKN Aerospace will lead on structural design and systems integration, drawing on its extensive experience in aerostructures, electrical wiring interconnection systems (EWIS), and advanced aerospace engineering. A significant proportion of the work will be undertaken at the Cowes facility, which has recently benefited from a £10 million investment in cleanrooms, advanced processing equipment, and specialist training facilities. GKN Aerospace already employs almost 1,000 people at the site, and the partnership is expected to generate more than 100 additional highly skilled roles over the next three years if the programmes are successful.

Dave Bond, Senior Vice President of Defence Technology at GKN Aerospace, described the agreement as a strong example of aerospace collaboration and innovation. He emphasised that combining GKN Aerospace’s manufacturing and integration expertise with Anduril’s advanced defence technologies would enable the rapid delivery of an industry-leading solution for the UK Army.

Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril Industries UK, welcomed the partnership, highlighting GKN Aerospace’s long-standing role in British manufacturing and the opportunity to enhance the lethality and survivability of UK Armed Forces. Adam Goldstein, CEO and founder of Archer, added that the collaboration brings together complementary strengths in autonomy, industrial capability, and advanced aviation technologies.

MP Richard Quigley concluded that the partnership represents exceptionally positive news for the Isle of Wight, supporting high-value jobs, skills development, and the region’s position at the forefront of advanced defence manufacturing.