Roke opens GBP £5m defence logistics hub in Romsey

Roke has opened a new GBP £5 million logistics and production hub at its Romsey headquarters, bringing design, testing and manufacturing functions into a single facility.

General Sir Roly Walker, Chief of the General Staff of the British Army, opened the building, and the company named it the Walker Building.

Roke said the building consolidates work from early-stage innovation through to quality control and shipping. The company said the change will alter how it manages production and dispatch for defence and national security customers.

Single Site

Roke described the hub as an end-to-end facility. It said teams can move from design and testing into production in the same building. The firm also cited quality control and shipping as part of the same workflow.

The company said the building fits within a longer-term expansion plan. It said the site supports a 10-year growth programme and includes potential for an additional 50% capacity.

Roke said the added space will hold higher volumes of parts. It said the layout will also speed up order processing through to delivery and shipping, including international destinations, based on customer requirements.

Defence Context

The opening comes as the UK Government reviews industrial readiness and defence procurement. Roke linked the project to the Strategic Defence Review and to the stated emphasis on speed and resilience.

The company positioned the investment as part of a wider effort to reduce reliance on overseas providers. It described itself as a sovereign UK company focused on defence and national security work.

Marc Overton, Managing Director, Roke, said: "We were proud to welcome General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO to our headquarters to open the new Walker Building. For us, this cutting-edge building is more than just a facility - it's a force multiplier that gives the UK's armed forces and its allies a strategic advantage. By bringing every stage of development under one roof, we can accelerate delivery at a wartime pace, ensuring our troops and borders remain secure. The modern era of conflict demands we produce faster than ever before - with this new facility, we stand ready to deliver at scale.

"This hub also strengthens Britain's sovereign defence and national security capabilities, reducing reliance on non-sovereign providers and giving us full control from concept to deployment. It's a clear example of industry stepping up to meet the nation's call for speed, resilience, and innovation.

"Roke's innovations have now been protecting UK troops and allies since 1946. As we move into our 70th anniversary, this milestone highlights how we will continue to protect our armed forces today and tomorrow," said Overton.

Army Visit

Walker toured the facility following the opening. Roke said he viewed defence technology under development at the site.

"I'm delighted to open Roke's new logistics and production hub. Facilities like this show UK industry stepping up to match that ambition and supporting the vision of growth through transformation," said General Sir Roly Walker KCB DSO, The British Army Chief of the General Staff.

Roke said its work spans areas including AI, cybersecurity, robotics and autonomous systems. It also cited secure communications and sensor technologies as part of its portfolio. The company said it has worked in defence and national security for 70 years.

Roke forms part of Chemring Group. The company said the relationship provides access to expertise and international markets.

Roke said the new facility will operate as the centre of its logistics and production activity as it pursues its expansion plan and increases throughput for UK and allied customers.