University supports opening of company’s first UK Resilience Factory

Our commitment to Plymouth's defence and security industry was highlighted by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP
Helsing's first UK Resilience Factory was opened in Plymouth by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, alongside company leadership and staff, civic representatives, and industry partners

University supports opening of company’s first UK Resilience Factory

Our commitment to Plymouth's defence and security industry was highlighted by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP
Helsing
Staff and students from the University of Plymouth attended the official opening of the first UK Resilience Factory established by the defence technology company, Helsing.
The facility in Plymouth – part of the company’s £350 million commitment to the UK – was opened by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey MP, alongside company leadership and staff, civic representatives, and industry partners.
Among those in attendance at the event on Wednesday 19 November were Professor Kevin Jones , Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), and Sarah Fear , Sector Lead: Marine and Low Carbon. They were also joined by postdoctoral researchers Dr Avanthika Vineetha Harish and Dr Wesley Andrews , current PhD candidates Juan Dorje Palbar Misas and Joseph Thorpe and Charlie Kay, a Marine Autonomous Systems Technician and BSc (Hons) Navigation and Maritime Science student.
Postdoctoral researchers Dr Avanthika Vineetha Harish and Dr Wesley Andrews, current PhD candidates Juan Dorje Palbar Misas and Joseph Thorpe and Charlie Kay, a BSc (Hons) Navigation and Maritime Science student, at the launch of Helsing's first UK Resilience Factory in Plymouth
The event was the latest in a series of developments designed to bolster Plymouth’s place at the heart of the UK’s defence and resilience sector.
This includes the city being designated as the National Centre for Marine Autonomy, and news that it will receive a share of £250 million through the UK Government’s Defence Growth Deals programme – work now being pursued through the Team Plymouth partnership.

Helsing’s new factory is a major vote of confidence in Plymouth.

The work we are pursuing together as Team Plymouth is all about celebrating innovation and ingenuity and fostering opportunities that enable everyone in our city to thrive. In line with that, we have to inspire the engineering, business and technology leaders of tomorrow, provide them with the skills they need, and create a Plymouth where they can succeed. Developments like this are a big step on that journey.

Richard DaviesProfessor Richard Davies
Vice-Chancellor

Helsing moved into the 18,000 sq ft factory just weeks ago and has already begun production of its maritime products and testing of them at sea from the nearby Turnchapel Wharf and locations in Scotland.
To develop and iterate Helsing’s maritime offering, a new high-tech R&D Hub is being created, including advanced manufacturing machines and software tools.
The Plymouth site will be Helsing’s Maritime Centre of Excellence, and will immediately create high skilled and manufacturing jobs in the South West, scaling to hundreds to meet future demand.
It will initially focus on maritime capabilities, building Helsing’s SG-1 Fathom – an autonomous underwater glider designed and manufactured in Britain to strengthen European and allied defence.

From Plymouth we’ll be manufacturing the autonomous systems that keep our sailors, ships and infrastructure safe. The SG-1 Fathom shows how world-class engineering and AI can combine to deliver capability at scale – enhancing national resilience, building skills, and supporting our allies.

Ned Baker
Managing Director of Helsing UK
 

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