UK’s Drone Dream: Why Lincolnshire Should Be the Sky’s New Headquarters
Picture this: a buzzing hub of drone factories in the heartland of England, pumping out a sleek suite of unmanned‑aircraft that could boost the national economy by almost £40 billion and create 600,000 jobs across the country. That’s the living‑heart of the GMB union’s latest mission statement.
The Union’s Bold Pitch
At their recent congress in Brighton, the GMB—our go‑to squad for defense‑manufacturing workers—passed a motion that’s basically a rallying cry for a homegrown “drone kingdom.” The motion urges the UK government to tap into its own high‑tech manufacturing muscle, both for military and civilian use. Why Lincolnshire? It’s already mixed with RAF’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, a robotics‑savvy university, a solid engineering base and, fun fact, a youthful demographic with an average age of just 33.
GMB’s Doodle‑On‑Paper Vision
- Location check‑list: Lincolnshire—already got the stuff.
- Talent pool: Young engineers, robotics scholars, and some real‑world industry experience.
- Economic upside: Up to £40 billion in growth.
- Job creation: Roughly 600,000 fresh gigs across the nation.
“Make Britain’s Drones & You!” – Martin Allen’s Speech
Martin Allen, the Union’s regional secretary, rang the bell: “If the government throws its support around, Lincolnshire could become the spot where the UK’s drone empire blooms, a high‑tech sector that’s increasingly crucial for both global economics and security.” He went on to say, “We’ve watched the world’s reliance on foreign drone tech grow, but it’s high time we start assembling our own aerial fleet. We’re calling on the UK Gov to step up and make a bold move—start a built‑in Britain drone zone right here.”
Why the UK (and Everyone) Needs It Now
Last week, the government announced it’ll supply Ukraine with 100,000 drones, a move that underlines how essential UAVs have become in modern warfare. These aircraft have reshaped combat, and the UK’s support package for Kyiv is a whopping £4.5 billion, of which £350 million is earmarked for that drone blitz.
Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the significance: “The UK is stepping up its help for Ukraine by delivering hundreds of thousands more drones this year, marking a milestone in the ammo supply chain.”
Summing It Up Quickly
- Economic boost: ~£40 billion.
- Job generation: 600k.
- Strategic advantage: Home‑grown drone production.
- Global relevance: Ukraine support and future warfare.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of a future where the UK’s own drone makers fly high above their fields of golden wheat, this union’s vision could make it happen. Let’s support it, because what’s better than a homeland that can build the very tech shaping tomorrow’s skies?
