Latest news with #MikeArmstrong
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump tariffs: Which Canadian sectors will be hit, and how hard?
The bulk of Canadian trade with the U.S. still falls under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Free Trade Deal (CUSMA). But President Donald Trump's new tariffs will hit some sectors in Canada hard. Mike Armstrong explains.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
100 jobs to be created as drone company Stark plans new factory
Swindon will soon be at the forefront of the high-tech defence industry when German company Stark starts manufacturing its cutting-edge military drones here. The move will create around 100 jobs for the town. The Swindon factory will be the first facility Stark has outside of Germany and will build the company's AI-assisted unmanned drones. Mike Armstrong, managing director of Stark UK, said: 'The UK and Germany are world leaders in new technology that will define the battlefields of the future. We need rapid and scalable production to protect our people, defend our sovereignty and deter aggression. That means resilient supply chains which stretch across Europe.' Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 'That is why Stark has chosen the UK as our first production location outside of Germany – taking advantage of the vast technological, industrial and defence expertise that exists here to create AI-powered, unmanned systems to defend Europe and NATO.' Will Stone, MP for Swindon North, himself a former soldier and at one time a defence sector 'business champion' for the government, said: "I'm proud to be working alongside STARK to bring defence manufacturing back to Swindon, a town with a proud military legacy and key producer of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire. It's fitting that the defence is returning to our town. This is the direction of travel: creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs and putting Swindon back at the heart of Britain's industrial future. This is just the start, with more businesses to follow." The 40,000 square foot factory will be in north central Swindon. Stark was set up only last year, partly as a response to Russia's 2023 invasion of Ukraine. Its 'Virtus' drone has a strike range of up to 100 km, and it carries a five-kilogram payload. Mr Stone said the move was aligned with the government's increased spending on defence and its ambition to make the UK a leader of innovation in NATO, expressed in the Strategic Defence Review. Swindon Borough Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins was also very pleased at the announcement. He said: 'This is fantastic news for Swindon and a strong endorsement of our town's growing reputation in advanced manufacturing and innovation. Stark's investment is a major step forward in our ambition to position Swindon as a national leader in advanced defence manufacturing. 'I'd like to personally thank Swindon North MP, Will Stone, who has played a pivotal role in bringing this investment to our town. I'm excited to see this cutting-edge UAV technology take shape right here in Swindon.'
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Drone manufacturer STARK to begin production in Swindon
A German defence technology company will soon begin producing drones in the UK, it has been which makes the unmanned weapon systems for NATO, is set to open a new 3,700 sq m (40,000 sq ft) factory in Swindon in expansion is expected to create more than 100 skilled jobs and will be the company's first site outside MP Will Stone said he was proud that STARK would "bring back defence manufacturing" to Swindon, which has a "proud military legacy". Mike Armstrong, managing director of STARK UK, said both the UK and Germany were "world-leaders in new technology" and the expansion will help "define the battlefields of the future"."We need rapid and scalable production to protect our people, defend our sovereignty and deter aggression. That means resilient supply chains which stretch across Europe," said Mr Armstrong said STARK, which was founded in 2024, wanted to take advantage of technological and defence expertise in the which helped produce the Supermarine Spitfire in the Second War, will once again be part of defending Europe, he company said its flagship loitering munition system 'Virtus', which has vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, has a strike radius of up to 100km (62 miles) and a 5kg weapons payload. "This is the direction of travel: creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs and putting Swindon back at the heart of Britain's industrial future," said Mr Stone, the MP for Swindon North."This is just the start," he Borough Council leader Jim Robbins said the news was a "strong endorsement of our town's growing reputation in advanced manufacturing and innovation. He said the investment was a "major step forward" in the ambition to position the town "as a national leader in defence advanced manufacturing"."I'm excited to see this cutting-edge UAV technology take shape right here in Swindon," he announcement comes as the UK and Germany expand their defence and security relationship, building on the Trinity House Agreement set in 2024.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Remembering the Canadian general who helped secure Dutch freedom during WWII
And finally, during the Second World War, Canadian Forces played a significant role in driving the Nazis out of the Netherlands. To this day, the Dutch have not forgotten the sacrifice our soldiers made. Mike Armstrong tells the story of the Canadian general who secured the country's freedom.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Canadian WWII veterans remembered and thanked during Apeldoorn parade through Dutch city
It is very hard not to be overwhelmed at the parade through Apeldoorn, Netherlands, led by Canadian veterans from the Second World War. Men and women who were part of the war effort 80 years ago were thanked by thousands and thousands. Apeldoorn remembers each year but only does the parade every five years. Global's Mike Armstrong reports.
