UK, Ukraine to launch joint project to build cutting-edge air defence drones

The United Kingdom will collaborate with the Ukrainian industry to manufacture and jointly develop state-of-the-art military equipment under a landmark technology-sharing agreement, according to the UK government website, cited by Caliber.Az.

The initiative aims to support British jobs while bolstering the national security of both countries.

The first project under the agreement, named Project OCTOPUS, involves the development of an advanced air defence interceptor drone. The drones will be mass-produced in the UK, with production targets of thousands per month, and supplied to Ukraine to support its ongoing defence against Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Interceptor drones are significantly cheaper than conventional air defence missiles and have proven effective against waves of one-way attack drones launched by Russia. They are designed to rapidly intercept incoming drones and missiles, neutralising threats before they reach civilian and military targets.

The drones are expected to enhance Ukraine’s aerial defence capabilities, particularly in light of recent Russian drone attacks on western Ukraine, which forced Poland and NATO to scramble to intercept the unmanned aircraft that crossed into Polish airspace.

By Khagan Isayev