XTEND, an AI robotics company, has launched a manufacturing facility in Swindon, England, following an initial £1.93 million order supporting UK defense activities, according to a statement from JFB Construction Holdings (NASDAQ: JFB).

The facility, called XFAB, is designed to produce autonomous defense systems for UK national defense priorities and NATO-aligned forces. XTEND plans to invest up to £20 million over time to expand its UK operations and sovereign operational capabilities.

The expansion follows successful trials with the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment at Salisbury Plain, which included what the company described as the first live-fire demonstration of an uncrewed aerial system by UK forces on UK soil. The trials have generated follow-on interest from additional UK defense units.

"Modern warfare is shifting from manually operated systems to human-guided autonomy, where a single operator can control complex missions with precision and speed," said Aviv Shapira, CEO and Co-founder of XTEND.

XTEND operates through its proprietary XOS operating system, which enables multiple robotic systems to operate as a coordinated network. The company has deployed over 10,000 systems in more than 30 countries and operates manufacturing facilities in the U.S., UK, Singapore, Israel, and Latvia.

In the United States, XTEND received an $8.8 million contract from the Department of Defense through The Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate for its precision strike indoor and outdoor program.

JFB Construction Holdings and XTEND announced a definitive agreement in February to combine in an all-stock transaction. Following the closing, the joint company is expected to be renamed XTEND AI Robotics and listed on a U.S. national securities exchange under the ticker "XTND."