Next-Gen Drones At Core Of New U.K.–Ukraine Military Pact

A soldier in camouflage explains a white drone to two men in formal attire. They stand outdoors with tents and greenery, discussing intently.
June 24, 2025

Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey, inspects a drone. Image: Cpl Tim Hammond, UK MOD Crown Copyright 2025

U.K. Ministry of Defence press release

A landmark agreement between the U.K. and Ukraine to share battlefield technology has been reached, boosting Ukraine’s drone production and linking up the U.K.’s defence industry with the cutting-edge technology being developed on the front lines in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Zelenskyy reached the agreement during the Ukrainian leader’s visit to Downing Street.

Technology data sets from Ukraine’s front line are set to be plugged into U.K. production lines, allowing British defence firms to rapidly design and build, at scale, cutting edge military equipment available nowhere else in the world.

Ukraine is the world leader in drone design and execution, with drone technology evolving, on average, every six weeks.

The agreement will allow that data to be shared with U.K. firms to quickly build and produce large numbers of drones for Ukraine’s front lines. It will also ensure a defence dividend continues to be delivered across the country – boosting Ukraine’s defence with deliveries of new equipment, while also supporting British jobs. 

Initial agreements between defence firms in both countries are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks, with the aim of delivering Ukraine large numbers of battle-proven drones to continue to stave off Russia’s barbaric invasion over the coming months and years.

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