Ukraine, UK sign licensing deal to produce Octopus interceptor drone

Ukraine and the United Kingdom have finalised a licensing agreement to produce the Ukrainian Octopus interceptor drone, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal on Telegram.

Shmyhal said, “Together with our allies, we are enhancing Ukraine’s air-defence capabilities. Delegations from the Ukrainian and UK Ministries of Defence have signed a licensing agreement for the Ukrainian Octopus interceptor drone.”

The minister emphasised that this marks a historic milestone and a key next step, enabling the production of proven Ukrainian interceptors in the UK to counter Shahed attack drones.

Mass production is planned, potentially reaching several thousand drones per month. These units will be delivered to Ukraine to reinforce the country’s air-defence systems.

Earlier in November, Ukraine began serial production of the Octopus drone, designed specifically to intercept and destroy one-way attack UAVs like the Russian Shahed drones. Currently, three manufacturers have received the necessary technology to produce the drones, while an additional 11 companies are preparing their production lines.

The Octopus is a small Ukrainian-designed unmanned interceptor that has already demonstrated battlefield effectiveness. It has become the foundation for an international industrial program for large-scale manufacturing.

The drone is being produced jointly by Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Ukraine is collaborating with the United States on interceptor drones capable of countering Russian UAVs, although it is not yet clear whether these are Octopus drones.

By Tamilla Hasanova