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Ukraine and Britain launch first joint drone production program to strengthen both nations’ defense

Par :Vira Kravchuk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the joint drone production program during a London meeting on 23 June.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new defense cooperation agreement during Zelenskyy’s brief visit to London on 23 June, establishing the first joint military-industrial production partnership between the two nations.

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, the United Kingdom has been one of the most significant supporters of Ukraine, providing a comprehensive package of military, financial, and training aid. The country has committed approximately £15 billion (over $20 billion) in total support to Ukraine since 2022. The UK government also plans to provide £3 billion (approximately $3.6 billion) per year in military aid to Ukraine until 2030/31 or “for as long as it takes.”

The initiative centers on collaborative drone manufacturing, with Britain committing to finance the procurement of Ukrainian-designed unmanned aircraft that will be produced on British soil.

According to Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, this arrangement will span the first three years of what officials describe as a “mega-project.”

“I am very proud that today we can announce an agreement on joint industrial military production – the first of its kind for Ukraine and Great Britain,” Starmer stated during the announcement.

The production model establishes a wartime-peacetime division of resources. While the conflict continues, all manufactured drones will support Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Following the war’s conclusion, Britain and Ukraine will divide the produced aircraft between themselves.

British defense companies will gain the capacity to design and manufacture advanced unmanned systems at scale under this framework. The partnership aims to integrate the defense industries of both countries while expanding production capabilities and advancing drone technology, according to Ukrainian officials.

“There is a good result from today’s meeting – an additional decision on joint production. I think it will be very strong and will strengthen both countries,” according to Zelenskyy’s press service.

This defense partnership builds on the comprehensive agreement signed in Kyiv on 16 January, when Starmer and Zelenskyy established a century-long partnership framework.

That 14-article agreement covers: 

  • defense capabilities
  • NATO membership consensus-building
  • energy cooperation
  • justice sector collaboration
  • measures against foreign information manipulation.

The timing of the London meeting preceded the NATO summit opening in The Hague on 24 June, where both leaders planned to participate.

 

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