The National Wealth Fund will invest £113 million in UFORCE, bringing production of battle-tested Ukrainian uncrewed systems to the UK, according to the UK MoD.
Funding and jobs
The investment forms part of UFORCE’s $700 million Series A round, worth more than £525 million. The company, founded in Ukraine and headquartered in the UK, develops autonomous systems for sea, land and air.
UFORCE will expand its British engineering, training and production teams. It expects to create hundreds of skilled jobs in engineering, software, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. The firm will also sponsor apprenticeships with universities and colleges.
British supply chain
UFORCE will source hulls, engines, electronics and fit-out from UK suppliers. British firms will provide more than 70% of each UK-built boat.
The UK will become a hub for the company’s software, command-and-control and production work. It will supply Ukraine, the UK and allies, including Joint Expeditionary Force nations, with a focus on operations in Northern seas.
Demonstration at sea
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting tested the technology aboard HMS Prince of Wales in Norway. He remotely piloted a UFORCE MV7 uncrewed vessel from the Magura family. The vessel sat more than 1,500 miles away in the Atlantic, near Portugal.
Reaction
Streeting said the UK has moved from training Ukraine to learning from it, as innovation speed becomes a measure of military power. Chancellor John Healey said the deal strengthens both economic and national security.
UFORCE chief executive Oleg Rogynskyy said the UK backed Ukraine’s defence technology sector early. He said the company now wants to help Britain build its own. The government described the investment as an example of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.
Learn more on the UK MoD website
