Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace have forged an exclusive teaming agreement to deliver the airframe for the British Army’s Project NYX, a move that underscores a broader industrial initiative aimed at accelerating autonomous capabilities and bolstering the UK’s defence supply chain. This collaboration is poised to inject new life into the land robotics and autonomous aviation sectors, while reinforcing a supply chain that already supports an estimated 50,000 jobs.
Anduril, a leading defence technology company, announced the partnership today, highlighting it as a pivotal step in the development of the Army’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform. GKN Aerospace will assume the role of airframe manufacturing and electrical integration partner, leveraging its extensive experience in military aerostructures and its substantial workforce on the Isle of Wight. This agreement is part of Anduril’s expanding UK supplier network, which already includes over 100 companies such as Atom Performance Technologies, Flarebright, Olsen Actuators, and Isembard.
Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril UK, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This partnership with GKN Aerospace is an exciting next step in our journey to provide and deliver innovative, sovereign solutions to the UK MOD. As we work together to create novel solutions to continuously evolving threats, we are committed to utilising the full depth and breadth of British engineering talent.”
Dave Bond, Senior Vice President for Defence Technology at GKN Aerospace, echoed this sentiment, describing the collaboration as a major strategic alignment. “This is an extremely exciting partnership, combining cutting-edge technologies and world-class industrial capabilities. Together, GKN Aerospace and Anduril will bring all-new defence solutions to the field in rapid time.”
Archer Aviation will also contribute to the project, providing expertise in eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) and hybrid-propulsion systems to shape the final airframe design. This collaboration aims to meet the Army’s requirements for rapid deployment and long-range autonomous lift.
Anduril emphasised that Project NYX is designed to foster a sovereign British capability rather than relying on imported systems. “We are proud to combine our autonomy and mission orchestration capabilities with the world-leading integration, design, and build expertise of Babcock and HII, to rapidly deliver the Royal Navy’s vision of a Hybrid Navy,” said Arondite CEO Will Blyth, referencing wider UK autonomy efforts. The company envisions similar integration principles underpinning the land domain.
Andrew Kinniburgh, director-general of Make UK Defence, welcomed the announcement, calling it “a vote of confidence in our growing sector.” He argued that partnerships blending legacy engineering firms with new defence tech companies are crucial for delivering sovereign capability and driving economic growth.
Local representatives also highlighted the regional impact. Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West, noted that the deal “demonstrates that innovative, high-tech manufacturing and advanced defence capability are being developed right here, supporting local jobs and the growth of vital skills.”
Since 2019, Anduril has rapidly expanded its presence in the UK, securing contracts with the Royal Marines and Strategic Command. The NYX teaming arrangement positions the UK to benefit from new investments in autonomous systems, airframe manufacturing, and AI-enabled mission software, aligning with the Ministry of Defence’s goals to enhance sovereign resilience and accelerate technology adoption.