The United Kingdom and Ukraine have signed a landmark agreement to jointly develop and manufacture frontline military drone technologies, further deepening their strategic partnership and bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
The deal, announced during President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to London, will allow battlefield data from Ukraine to be shared with British defence manufacturers. This real-time exchange aims to accelerate the production of advanced, battle-tested drones by integrating Ukrainian frontline innovation with British industrial capacity.
“By harnessing Ukraine’s battlefield innovation and combining it with British industrial strength, we are not only accelerating support for Ukraine’s defence, we are also delivering security for working people through our Plan for Change,” said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. “This agreement is not just about today’s fight, it’s about building the defence capabilities of tomorrow, together.”
Under the new partnership, UK companies will be able to rapidly adapt and manufacture military drones tailored to the evolving needs of Ukraine’s forces. With drone technologies in Ukraine reportedly evolving every six weeks, the agreement is expected to deliver large volumes of combat-proven systems in the months ahead.
Initial cooperation between defence firms in both countries will begin in the coming weeks, supported by the UK’s £4.5 billion military assistance for 2025. The broader framework covers a three-year period and complements the century-long bilateral security pact signed between London and Kyiv in January.
In addition to military collaboration, the UK has pledged up to £280 million in bilateral assistance for Ukraine for the 2025–2026 financial year. This funding will support humanitarian relief, energy infrastructure, stabilisation efforts, governance reforms, and long-term reconstruction. The new allocation brings the UK’s total non-military aid to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion to over £5 billion.
The agreement also aligns with recommendations from the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, which emphasised the need for expanded use of autonomous systems within the British Armed Forces. Both nations are expected to collaborate on future capabilities beyond the war, focusing on innovation in air defence and unmanned technologies.