The UK is set to commence mass production of sophisticated interceptor drones to bolster Ukraine’s defense against Russian aerial assaults.
These drones, developed with the collaboration of British scientists and Ukraine, have shown remarkable effectiveness in neutralizing the one-way strike drones that Moscow persistently deploys against Ukrainian cities, as per the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The announcement comes on the heels of a series of suspected Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace during nighttime strikes on Ukraine, which were intercepted by Polish and NATO forces.
This marks the first instance of NATO forces engaging in active combat during Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, leading to heightened concerns over the escalating situation. The UK has pledged to assist Poland in reinforcing its air defenses.
Defence Secretary John Healey is expected to disclose further information about the new drone initiative at a trade exhibition in London. This marks the first agreement under a new technology-sharing program with Kyiv.
UK to produce interceptor drones for aiding Ukraine in countering Russian attacks. Source: PA
‘A pioneering collaboration’
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the joint project as a “milestone achievement” and affirmed the UK’s commitment to bolstering support for Ukraine alongside its allies.
The MoD reported that the new drones have already demonstrated efficacy against the Iranian Shahed drones employed by Russia and are a cost-effective alternative to traditional air defense missiles.
Sir Keir and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the UK-Ukraine industrial partnership earlier this summer.
The agreement was expanded last week in Kyiv, where the defense secretary signed an agreement facilitating joint development and intellectual property exchange.
“This agreement is unprecedented, granting UK industries unparalleled access to the latest equipment designs. This supports Ukraine in defending against Putin’s unlawful invasion while exemplifying how defense can catalyze growth and underpin our Plan for Change,” Mr Healey said.
Russian drones were tracked in northern, eastern, and southeastern regions of Poland.
On Wednesday, Mr Healey engaged in discussions with representatives from Poland, Italy, France, and Germany, condemning Russia’s “reckless” incursion into Polish airspace.
He affirmed that the UK’s military is considering options to enhance NATO’s air defense capabilities over Poland.
Escalating tensions: Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland remarked that the drone incursion represented “the closest we have come to open conflict since World War Two,” yet insisted there was “no cause for imminent war concerns.”
He noted that Poland has requested activation of NATO’s Article 4, which allows members to consult on matters of mutual concern. Unlike Article 5, Article 4 has seen invocation seven times in NATO history, amid growing tensions.
Read more from Sky News:
Assessing Putin’s Strategy
The Response Expected from NATO
Moscow denies responsibility for the incident, with the Russian defence ministry asserting that, though a major strike was conducted in western Ukraine, there was no plan to target Polish territory.
NATO fighter jets were mobilized in response to potential Russian drones reported to have breached Polish airspace, with the incident persisting into the early hours, according to officials.
Poland reported that 19 aerial objects, many from Belarus, violated its airspace during the Russian attack on Ukraine, with threats intercepted and neutralized.
Poland’s interior ministry confirmed the retrieval of seven drones and debris from a missile.
The EU upper diplomat, Kaja Kallas, warned of “Russia’s war intensifying” and called for the bloc to “increase pressure on Moscow” and invest in Europe’s defense capabilities.
Kremlin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, accused the EU and NATO of “daily accusations of Russian provocations” without providing evidence.
