Ukraine launches drone production in the UK: project details
26 February 00:44
The first Ukrainian defense manufacturing center, a subsidiary of Ukrspecsystems, has begun operations in the UK. The opening was announced by Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the UK and former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
This refers to the launch of a Ukrainian factory for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have long proven their effectiveness in modern technological warfare.
Why production was located in the UK
According to Zaluzhny, Ukraine is fighting a war amid constant missile attacks, destruction of infrastructure, and threats to defense enterprises.
“Ukraine is fighting under conditions of constant missile strikes, destruction of infrastructure, and threats to production facilities. And our engineers are creating solutions that are born directly from the experience of the front lines. They are improving systems not based on the results of theoretical research, but on the results of real combat applications,” the ambassador said.
The relocation of part of the production facilities to the UK is strategic in nature.
“This is not a shift of the center of gravity from Ukraine. It is an expansion of our joint capabilities and the creation of a second line of defense that guarantees continuity of production. We are leaving the center of engineering expertise in Ukraine and integrating production into the British defense space,” Zaluzhny emphasized.
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What this means for Ukraine and the UK
For Ukraine:
- guaranteed uninterrupted production of UAVs;
- strategic planning of defense capabilities for years to come;
- strengthened integration into the European defense space;
- formation of a new security architecture.
For the United Kingdom:
- strengthening of the national defense sector;
- access to technologies tested in real combat conditions;
- creation of new jobs;
- integration of combat experience into industrial solutions.
According to the ambassador, the event is not only of economic or technological significance, but also of strategic and civilizational importance.
“We are actually laying the foundation for a new European security architecture. We thank our British friends for their leadership, consistency, and trust,” he said.
Ukraine is among the leaders in drone production
Back in September 2025, the British publication UK Defence Journal reported that Ukrspecsystems was planning to launch production in the UK. Mass production was scheduled for early 2026.
In August 2025, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated that Ukraine is a world leader in the production of drones and is ready to share its experience with international partners, in particular with Japan.
The opening of the plant in the UK was a practical step towards forming a joint Ukrainian-British defense industrial base and strengthening cooperation in the context of the war.
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