Europe’s defence technology company Helsing has opened its first UK Resilience Factory in Plymouth, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s defence and maritime innovation landscape. The facility, inaugurated by the Secretary of State for Defence, will produce autonomous underwater gliders designed to enhance the tracking of hostile submarines, bolstering allied defence efforts.
The 18,000 square feet facility, operational for just a few weeks, has already commenced production and sea testing from Turnchapel Wharf and the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in Scotland. This strategic move underscores Helsing’s commitment to advancing maritime defence technology. Additionally, the company is constructing a high-tech research hub on-site, which will serve as its Maritime Centre of Excellence.
The opening of the Plymouth factory is set to create highly skilled roles in the South West, aligning with the growing demand for advanced maritime systems. The initial focus is on the SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider developed in Britain to bolster European and allied defence capabilities. Integrated with Helsing’s Maritime AI platform, Lura, the SG-1 Fathom enables continuous underwater surveillance, providing critical detection of hostile activities.
The factory’s establishment supports Helsing’s dedication to sovereign UK manufacturing, following successful trials of the SG-1 in the Western Approaches, Scotland, and Western Australia. This initiative is part of Helsing’s £350 million commitment to the UK under the 2024 Trinity House agreement, announced by the Chancellor in July 2025. The site will not only produce and maintain the SG-1 Fathom but also serve as the global centre for maritime research and development within the company.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP emphasised the strategic importance of the new facility: “For too long our proud industrial heartlands like Plymouth saw jobs go away and not come back. We are changing that. In this new era of threat, the defence dividend from our record investment is measured in good jobs, thriving businesses, new skills for the British people. That is exactly what we’re seeing in Plymouth with Helsing’s cutting-edge new factory showing the benefits of our defence growth deals which are backed by £250 million investment, and the city’s leading maritime autonomous industry. We are making defence an engine for growth to deliver national and economic security.”
Ned Baker, Managing Director of Helsing UK, highlighted the factory’s role in national security and technological advancement: “From Plymouth we’ll be manufacturing the autonomous systems that keep our sailors, ships and infrastructure safe. The SG-1 Fathom shows how world-class engineering and AI can combine to deliver capability at scale – enhancing national resilience, building skills, and supporting our allies.”
The opening strengthens Helsing’s ties with national government, Plymouth’s community, the University of Plymouth, and Plymouth City Council under the Team Plymouth partnership. This investment is expected to generate local jobs, bolster supply chains, and reinforce the UK’s maritime autonomy sector.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP praised the investment: “Helsing’s investment in Plymouth shows confidence in Britain’s world-class engineering, talent and leadership in defence technology. By investing in advanced manufacturing and research in the South West, Helsing is creating high-skilled jobs, strengthening our national security, and driving growth in communities that have long been at the heart of our maritime story. As I set out in the Spring Statement, at least 10% of MOD’s equipment procurement spending will go to novel technologies like these. This is part of our Defence Plan to build a Britain that works for working people, creating good jobs, supporting innovation, and spreading investment nationwide.”
Amelia Gould, General Manager of Maritime Helsing, added: “There’s no better place than Plymouth to lead in maritime autonomy. With deep water, strong local supply chains and exceptional talent, we’re proud to call this city home.”
This strategic investment not only enhances the UK’s defence capabilities but also positions Plymouth as a key player in the global maritime autonomy sector, driving innovation and economic growth.