The UK has delivered more than 85,000 military drones to Ukraine in just the first six months of this year — part of a major push to boost production and support Ukraine’s defence against
Russian aggression.
Defence Secretary John Healey will confirm the figures in Brussels today as he co-hosts the latest Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting with Germany. The UK has invested £600 million this year alone to accelerate drone deliveries for Ukraine’s armed forces, including tens of thousands of first-person view (FPV) drones used for precision strikes, reconnaissance, and disrupting Russian operations.
Healey is expected to tell allies that NATO must “ramp up drone production to outmatch Putin’s escalation”, following a surge in Russian drone attacks on Ukraine and increasing incursions into European airspace.
The effort is part of the government’s broader Plan for Change, which includes increasing UK defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027. This marks a significant long-term commitment to European and NATO security.
During his visit to Kyiv last month, Healey and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal signed a landmark industrial partnership to jointly produce an “inceptor” drone designed to protect civilians and infrastructure from Russian attacks. Using new data gathered from the battlefield, production of the upgraded Octopus interceptor drone is being scaled up, with plans to supply thousands of units each month to Ukraine.
“Putin’s dangerous escalation in Ukraine and across Europe must be met with action,” Healey said. “The UK is stepping up — delivering over 85,000 drones in six months and developing new interceptor technology with Ukraine. This effort not only strengthens Ukraine’s defences but also supports skilled jobs in both our countries.”
The Defence Secretary also announced that the UK will extend its contribution to NATO’s Eastern Sentry air policing mission through the end of 2025. British Typhoon fighter jets will continue to patrol Polish airspace following recent Russian drone incursions.
In addition, British counter-drone experts will soon deploy to Moldova to train local forces in identifying and neutralizing drone threats — part of a broader NATO initiative to bolster regional security.
The UK’s £600 million drone investment this year is part of a record £4.5 billion commitment to support Ukraine’s defence. The funding covers a wide range of systems — from logistical drones that carry supplies to one-way attack and surveillance drones. Much of this work is being carried out by British defence firms such as Tekever, Windracer, and Malloy, supporting hundreds of skilled jobs across the UK.
As co-lead of the Drone Capability Coalition with Latvia, the UK is also coordinating with other nations to fund and deliver advanced drone interceptors to counter the Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia. These systems are already being tested on the battlefield, with new contracts expected soon for around 35,000 additional interceptor systems.
Both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have emphasized that the UK’s national security begins with Ukraine’s defence — a stance that underscores Britain’s continued leadership in the NATO alliance. Photo by Rbrechko, Wikimedia commons.