Archer Aviation, a California-based developer of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has announced plans to establish a UK engineering hub in South West England. This move signals a deepening commitment to the British defence and aerospace ecosystem, particularly as military interest in autonomous and vertical lift platforms continues to grow.
The announcement follows a strategic teaming agreement between Archer, Anduril UK, and GKN Aerospace. This collaboration aims to support the British Army’s Project NYX and the Ministry of Defence’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform programme. The partnership will also explore future opportunities at GKN Aerospace’s airframe production facility on the Isle of Wight.
Archer’s new hub will operate under its newly formed subsidiary, Archer Aviation UK Limited. The goal is to build and grow a local engineering team to support its activities in the UK and internationally. “The UK has the talent and industrial base to be a major player in driving the next era of advanced aerospace and defence. Archer’s plans to open a UK engineering hub underscores our commitment to being an integral part of the next generation of aerospace and defence in the country,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO.
Archer will contribute its latest advancements in eVTOL aircraft development and hybrid propulsion to Project NYX. The company will work alongside Anduril UK, a defence technology company specialising in autonomous systems and AI-enabled platforms, and GKN Aerospace, a UK-headquartered aerospace manufacturer with over 265 years of industrial heritage.
As part of this expansion, Archer has appointed Dr Limhi Somerville, a leading figure in the UK’s eVTOL engineering sector. Somerville will join Archer in early 2026 from Vertical Aerospace, where he spent six years and most recently led the company’s engineering programme. His previous experience includes roles at Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Warwick. “Archer is pairing realistic innovation with the capital, manufacturing capabilities, and strategic partnerships required to actually deliver next-generation aerospace and defence technologies at scale,” Somerville said. “The opportunity to support a dual-use vertical lift platform is compelling.”
This expansion aligns with recent remarks from the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, who highlighted the defence sector’s role in long-term economic growth. Archer plans to invest in local engineering talent and create high-skill roles aligned with UK defence priorities, working alongside Anduril UK and GKN as the Project NYX supply chain develops.
Archer’s move comes as rival eVTOL developer Vertical Aerospace also increases its presence in the British market. Based in Bristol, Vertical Aerospace has been explicit about its defence and dual-use strategy, including work on hybrid-electric variants of the VX4 aimed at military, logistics, and special-mission applications. The parallel moves by Archer and Vertical Aerospace underscore the growing competition among eVTOL developers to secure a foothold in British defence and sovereign aerospace programmes.
As the UK continues to invest in advanced aerospace technologies, the presence of Archer and Vertical Aerospace could drive significant innovation and economic growth. The collaboration between these companies and established UK defence and aerospace firms is poised to shape the future of autonomous and vertical lift platforms, reinforcing the UK’s position as a leader in the global defence and aerospace sectors.