MPs' defence fears as drone factories set to open in West

THE UK lacks a plan to defend itself from a military attack, MPs warned as the Government promised to boost readiness with new arms factories.

- DAVID HUGHES

At least 13 sites across the UK have been identified for new factories to make munitions and military explosives, with Defence Secretary John Healey expecting the arms industry to break ground at the first plant next year.

A new drone factory in Swindon is among those reportedly in the pipeline.

In a speech in London he will say the “new era of threat” presents an economic opportunity with at least 1,000 new jobs to be created.

His speech comes as the Commons Defence Committee issued a stark warning about the UK’s ability to fight a war and meet its Nato obligations in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.

Mr Healey will confirm the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has funded a number of feasibility studies for new energetics factories - producing explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants - to kickstart high-volume production in the UK for the first time in nearly two decades.