The UK and Ukraine have signed an agreement to cooperate on battlefield technology aimed at boosting drone production and integrating the capabilities of both countries’ defense industries.
The deal was announced during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Downing Street, where he met UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Under the agreement, battlefield data from Ukraine will be shared with British defense firms to speed up the design, mass production, and delivery of military equipment for use on the front lines.
“Ukraine is the world leader in drone design and execution, with drone technology evolving, on average, every six weeks,” stated the UK government.
“Initially, the industrial partnership is expected to increase information and expertise sharing between the UK and Ukraine on drone-based air defense, but the agreement also paves the way for both countries to work on capabilities for the future, long after the war finishes,” it added.
The first contracts between British and Ukrainian defense companies are expected in the coming weeks.
Over the next three years, the initiative will be funded through the UK’s 4.5-billion-pound ($6 billion) military aid package allocated for Ukraine this year, along with a commitment to provide 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) annually in future support to the war-torn country.
‘Build With Ukraine’
Kyiv has been boosting its local military equipment production in recent years and now plans to export its combat-proven weapons, including drones, missiles, and artillery.
President Zelensky recently unveiled the “Build with Ukraine” initiative, which aims to establish defense manufacturing partnerships with European allies.
In addition to the recent agreement with the UK, countries including Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, and Norway have expressed interest in future collaborations and access to Ukrainian-made technologies.
