The UK is set to build a new defence innovation centre for the army at Dorset county to facilitate the development of new technologies.
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has committed £3.1m for the project, while the Dorset Council and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership will contribute an additional £2.6m.
The Army BattleLab will be located at the Dorset Innovation Park and will feature an engineering workshop, as well as working and conference areas for joint use.
Once complete, the facility will enable the MoD to work with small and medium enterprises, and academic institutions to develop new products and technologies with commercial potentiality.
The army and MoD are expected to use the facility for at least 15 years.
UK; Mod to establish BattleLab innovation center