Caroline Nokes MP visits Roke’s Romsey HQ, as the UK looks to build its sovereign defence capabilities
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Rt Hon Caroline Nokes, Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, praised the company for creating high-skilled jobs for the local economy and protecting the UK.
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Caroline toured Roke’s new £5 million logistics facility that is set to open at the Romsey site in Autumn
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The company currently employs more than 1,000 people and supports over 100 SME businesses
Romsey, UK, Tuesday, August 5, 2025: Caroline Nokes MP has visited the Romsey headquarters of Roke, a UK company that stands at the forefront of defence and national security, to see first-hand the firm’s vital contribution to the local economy and learn how its intelligence and engineering solutions protect the UK, its troops, its borders, and businesses.
Roke, part of the Chemring Group, works closely with the armed forces and security services on cutting edge projects that keep the country safe and boost its sovereign defence capabilities – from participating in the UK’s missile defence research, through the Science & Technology Oriented Research and development in Missile defence (STORM) project, to spearheading a major British army modernisation project called ZODIAC.
The company also builds technology that can be used by law enforcement to protect the public and outpace threats from increasingly sophisticated organised crime groups.
During the visit on Thursday (July 31), the Rt Hon Caroline Nokes, Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, toured Roke’s new £5 million logistics hub currently under construction on the Romsey campus – a key investment supporting future growth and innovation.
She also visited the company’s R&D and production facilities to see how Roke provides solutions to protect the armed forces, national interests and citizens from a growing number of adversaries. Roke’s Chief Technology Officer, Matthew Albans, discussed with the MP about how these capabilities could be used by the government for defence and national security purposes.
Ms Nokes praised Roke’s work in bolstering UK defence, providing high-skilled jobs, and putting Hampshire at the heart of Britain’s tech-led security efforts.
“Our people are actively developing some of the most advanced technology in the world. It’s the technology that’s helping to keep the UK safe every day. We’re proud to play a key role in strengthening Britain’s sovereign defence capabilities, and it’s the talent and dedication of our workforce that makes it all possible. We’re proud to work closely with the UK government and the armed forces, so we were delighted to welcome Caroline Nokes MP to our Romsey HQ.”
Paul MacGregor
Managing Director, Roke
“Roke is a world-leading example of British innovation driving both our national security and our local economy here in Romsey. The work being done on this site not only helps to keep our armed forces and citizens safe, but also creates high-skilled jobs and supports a thriving network of local businesses. I’m incredibly proud that Hampshire is playing such a key role in strengthening the UK’s sovereign defence capabilities, and it’s been fantastic to see first-hand the talent and technology that makes it all possible.”
Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP
Member of Parliament for Romsey and Southampton North
For almost 70 years, Roke’s innovations have safeguarded the UK and its allies. Its people play a key role in developing cutting edge technology – including AI, cyber security, robotics, and autonomous systems – that keeps the country safe now and ensure it stays ahead of emerging threats in the future.
