Plymouth welcomes new maritime factory in £350m defence boost

A major defence technology company has opened a new factory in Plymouth that will build autonomous underwater gliders designed to help the UK and its allies track hostile submarines.

Helsing, which describes itself as Europe’s largest defence technology firm, has set up the site at an 18,000 sq ft unit near the city. 

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The factory, officially opened this week by the Defence Secretary, will be the company’s first “Resilience Factory” in the UK.

The opening was attended by Helsing staff, local civic leaders, MPs and industry partners.

Production is already under way

Helsing only moved into the building a few weeks ago but says production has already started. 

The company is testing its new maritime equipment at Turnchapel Wharf and at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in Scotland.

The Plymouth site will act as the company’s Maritime Centre of Excellence, with a new research and development hub planned, including advanced manufacturing equipment and software tools.

The factory will create high-skilled jobs in the South West. Helsing says it expects the workforce to grow into the hundreds as demand increases.

What will the factory build?

The Plymouth team will focus on the SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider developed in the UK. 

The glider will be paired with Helsing’s maritime AI system, known as Lura. 

Together, the technology is designed to provide long-range underwater surveillance and to protect sea lanes and critical national infrastructure.

Helsing says the factory supports its commitment to manufacturing in the UK and follows successful sea trials in the Western Approaches, Scotland and Australia.

Government support for the project

The plan for the Plymouth factory was first announced in July 2025 as part of Helsing’s £350 million investment agreement with the UK Government.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP, who opened the facility, said the development marks a turnaround for the city:

“For too long our proud industrial heartlands like Plymouth saw jobs go away and not come back. We are changing that,” he said, adding that the investment shows “the benefits of our defence growth deals”, backed by £250 million.

Healey said the government wants defence to become “an engine for growth”, bringing skilled jobs and national security benefits.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP also welcomed the investment, saying:

“Helsing’s investment in Plymouth shows confidence in Britain’s world-class engineering and talent. By investing in advanced manufacturing in the South West, Helsing is creating high-skilled jobs and strengthening our national security.”

ABOVE: Rebecca Smith MP at the opening of the Helsing factory (Credit: Rebecca Smith MP)

Local reaction to the opening

The factory has been welcomed by local leaders involved in Plymouth’s growing maritime and defence sector.

Ned Baker, Managing Director of Helsing UK, said the factory would play an important role in supporting Royal Navy operations:

“From Plymouth we’ll be manufacturing the autonomous systems that keep our sailors, ships and infrastructure safe.”

Amelia Gould, General Manager of Maritime Helsing, said Plymouth was an ideal base:

“There’s no better place than Plymouth to lead in maritime autonomy.”

South West Devon MP Rebecca Smith said the development strengthens the region’s role in modern defence work:

“Today’s factory opening marks the next exciting chapter and cements the important role of smaller local communities in delivering the UK’s sovereign defence capability.”

University of Plymouth Vice-Chancellor Professor Richard Davies said the project is a “major vote of confidence” in the city and part of a wider partnership known as Team Plymouth, bringing together government, education, industry and the council.

More to come from Helsing

The site is expected to produce and maintain the SG-1 Fathom and act as the company’s main research centre for maritime technology.

The company says around 50 jobs are being created immediately, with numbers expected to double within a year and grow further as production increases.