“The UK and Ukraine have agreed to collaborate on battlefield technology aimed at increasing drone production and integrating the capabilities of both countries’ defense industries.
During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s trip to Downing Street, where he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the agreement was announced.
According to the agreement, British defense companies will receive battlefield information from Ukraine in order to expedite the development, manufacturing, and delivery of military gear 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,” the British government said.
The statement stated that the industrial alliance is initially anticipated to improve the sharing of information and knowledge between the UK and Ukraine regarding drone-based air defense, but it also lays the groundwork for collaboration between the two nations on capabilities for the future, well beyond the conclusion of the conflict.
The first agreements between Ukrainian and British defense businesses are anticipated in the next weeks.
The project will be supported over the next three years by the UK’s 4.5-billion-pound ($6 billion) military aid package for Ukraine this year, as well as a pledge to donate 3 billion pounds ($4 billion) annually to the war-torn nation in the future.
