Campbell Gibson
Senior Advisor, External Relations, London +44 7825 074315
The teaming agreement positions AtkinsRéalis to support Anduril UK in navigating emerging certification pathways and establishing the assurance standards, including cyber security, essential for trusted autonomous operations.
Autonomous systems represent a transformational opportunity for UK defence and the future of military aviation, reducing risk to personnel and delivering operational advantages in areas such as reconnaissance. The Strategic Defence Review identified autonomous capabilities as critical to modernising Britain's Armed Forces and maintaining technological edge.
The exclusive collaboration for Anduril UK's uncrewed flight programmes in UK defence brings together AtkinsRéalis' significant global experience in novel aerospace platform development and assurance of uncrewed systems with Anduril UK's advanced autonomous systems and software-defined defence capabilities.
AtkinsRéalis' deep knowledge of international regulatory requirements will enable Anduril UK to deliver leading sovereign commanded, not controlled, systems. This expertise will support future platforms to operate safely and securely, navigating approvals with the Military Aviation Authority and Civil Aviation Authority, and managing defence lines of development proportionately to enable innovation at pace for British Armed Forces.
Beyond providing safety and assurance expertise, AtkinsRéalis is supporting Anduril UK's establishment of a UK manufacturing site for the uncrewed platform, leveraging its capabilities in delivering complex infrastructure and industrial facilities. With more than 14,000 employees in the UK and Ireland across over 40 offices – including around 2,000 working on defence-related projects – AtkinsRéalis brings deep domestic expertise to this collaboration. The manufacturing site would support Anduril UK's investment to provide for the British Armed Forces and enable potential exports to wider Europe, contributing to UK jobs, the economy and the defence industrial base.
David Clark, Vice President - Global Defence at AtkinsRéalis, said: "Autonomous systems have rightly been identified as a priority for defence transformation. Delivering this vision requires proportionate approaches which turn innovative technologies into operationally assured, deployable capabilities. Through this agreement with Anduril UK, we can contribute our decades of defence delivery and sovereign programme expertise to help deliver trusted, deployable autonomous systems that bolster national security."
Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril UK, said: "This collaboration is about how the UK builds and fields modern defence systems, not just a single platform. We're helping create sovereign autonomous capability that can be delivered faster, alongside our valued partners across the British defence ecosystem. By pairing Anduril's software-first approach with AtkinsRéalis' strengths in assurance and regulation, we will ensure that our armed forces stay ahead for the long term."
The teaming agreement builds on AtkinsRéalis and Anduril UK's collaboration to explore dual use future flight opportunities, announced last year. Today's teaming agreement deepens the relationship with an expanded focus on safety assurance and regulatory pathways for autonomous systems in defence.
ENDS
Notes to editors
AtkinsRéalis is a strategic supplier to the UK defence market, having worked with defence organisations for decades to support the delivery of major programmes across land, maritime, air and joint environments. Through the Engineering Delivery Partnership for Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), AtkinsRéalis provides essential engineering support for the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. Last year the company was also appointed by the Civil Aviation Authority as the UK’s first independent airworthiness assessor of commercial drones.
Anduril UK recently announced GKN Aerospace as the airframe manufacturing and electrical integration partner for its uncrewed air system. Over the last year, Anduril UK has partnered with British companies including Atom Performance Technologies, Flarebright, Olsen Actuators and Isembard, with its supply chain supporting an estimated 50,000 jobs.
Above: Rich Drake, left, and David Clark
About AtkinsRéalis
Created by the integration of long-standing organizations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people. We create sustainable solutions that connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. We deploy global capabilities locally to our clients and deliver unique end-to-end services across the whole life cycle of an asset including consulting, advisory & environmental services, intelligent networks & cybersecurity, design & engineering, procurement, project & construction management, operations & maintenance, decommissioning and capital. The breadth and depth of our capabilities are delivered to clients in strategic sectors such as Engineering Services, Nuclear and Capital. News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.
About Anduril UK
Anduril has been operating in the UK since 2019, securing contracts with end—users including the Royal Marines and Strategic Command. Anduril UK have rapidly expanded their footprint and intend to continue this trajectory, focusing on high—value technology manufacturing and R&D. Anduril UK is committed to strengthening sovereign UK defence capabilities by investing in R&D, autonomous systems, and AI-enabled Command-and-Control platforms — all essential to delivering the Government’s vision of a resilient and innovative defence sector.
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