General Dynamics UK officially opened its latest pioneering defence innovation centre in Oakdale.

The opening ceremony was conducted by Chris Evans, MP for Islwyn, and Andy Nicholson, head of the UK Centre for Defence Enterprise, in the presence of guests representing the British Army, Welsh Government, academia and small business.

The new facility in Oakdale brings General Dynamics UK, SMEs and academia together to develop innovative solutions to meet customer requirements in the defence market. The Oakdale facility builds upon the successes of the original EDGE UK which opened in 2008 at the company’s Newbridge site.

The facility provides SMEs and academia with access to a wealth of expertise and equipment to progress their projects, in the UK and worldwide as part of the EDGE Innovation network, and provides a business focus that enables collaborative projects to deliver innovative solutions to meet current UK Armed Forces requirements in rapid time.

Chris Evans MP said: “The EDGE UK is a pioneering facility that opens doors to high-tech small businesses and to academia who would otherwise find a route to the defence market a significant challenge. Already there are innovations delivered through EDGE UK that are enhancing deployed capabilities for the UK Armed Forces, and today’s demonstrations show that innovations developed through EDGE UK continues apace.”

Edwina Hart, Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, said: “General Dynamics UK is a key partner for the Welsh Government as it promotes open innovation and collaboration amongst businesses and academia in Wales. It is one of our key Anchor companies, and I am delighted that they have opened a new EDGE UK facility, and have demonstrated their commitment to working collaboratively with small businesses and academia in Wales.”

Steve Rowbotham, chief operating officer at General Dynamics UK, said: “EDGE UK enables SMEs to gain a competitive advantage in developing their innovations rapidly into capability that can be fielded with the UK Armed Forces. This new facility in the heart of the Welsh Valleys will continue to build upon past EDGE UK successes to provide the innovations required by the UK Armed Forces.”