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Britain and Ukraine are preparing to sign a defense partnership focused on countering low-cost drones, according to an announcement from Downing Street ahead of Ukraine’s leader’s visit on Tuesday.
Since the recent outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran last month, Tehran has primarily used ballistic missiles to target Israel, while relying on drones to strike targets within Gulf states.
The UK-Ukraine agreement aims to enhance global defense capabilities against the spread of affordable, high-tech military equipment, including drones, the British Prime Minister’s office stated.
The deal intends to utilize Ukraine’s expertise gained from its prolonged conflict with Russia to develop counter-drone strategies, combined with Britain’s manufacturing infrastructure to produce and deliver drones and advanced military technologies.
Starmer emphasized that drones, electronic warfare, and rapid battlefield innovations have become central to national and economic security—issues amplified by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
“By strengthening our defense collaborations, we’re empowering Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s relentless attacks, while also ensuring that the UK and our allies are better equipped to face future threats,” he said.
The agreement also allocates 500,000 pounds ($670,000) to establish an “AI Centre of Excellence,” which will be incorporated into Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to London comes after he voiced concerns that the spotlight on the Middle East conflict might overshadow Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia.
Despite challenges, Ukraine’s European allies have committed to maintaining their support for Kyiv, even as the US has scaled back some sanctions on Moscow in an effort to stabilize soaring oil prices driven by Middle East tensions.
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