Key Takeaways
- Ukraine and the United Kingdom are set to begin producing 1,000 Octopus interceptor drones per month starting in February.
- The drones are part of a 100-year defence partnership agreement between the two countries, which includes joint projects in security and the defence industry.
- The Octopus drone is a Ukrainian system for intercepting Shahed drones, engineered by Ukraine’s Armed Forces and tested on the battlefield.
- The partnership also includes cooperation on air defence, long-range weapons, and maritime space safeguarding.
- A meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (Ramstein format) is planned for February to discuss further defence cooperation.
Introduction to the Defence Partnership
Ukraine and the United Kingdom have taken a significant step towards strengthening their defence partnership. According to a recent announcement by Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, the two countries are set to begin producing 1,000 Octopus interceptor drones per month starting in February. This development is part of a 100-year defence partnership agreement previously signed by the two countries, which includes joint projects in security and the defence industry. The agreement was further solidified by the signing of a roadmap by Shmyhal and UK Defence Secretary John Healey, who is currently on a visit to Kyiv.
The Octopus Drone
The Octopus drone is a Ukrainian system for intercepting Shahed drones, engineered by Ukraine’s Armed Forces and tested on the battlefield. According to Shmyhal, the drone has demonstrated combat reliability at night, under jamming, and at low altitudes. The interceptors will be manufactured in the UK and then transferred to Ukraine. The drones themselves were presented in London by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late October. The production of the Octopus drone is a significant development in Ukraine’s defence capabilities, particularly in its efforts to counter Russian aggression.
Defence Cooperation
The defence partnership between Ukraine and the UK includes cooperation on several key security areas. The two countries have signed a license agreement for the production of Ukrainian interceptor drones, which will be built by Heneral Chereshnia, a Ukrainian defence firm. The partnership also includes joint strategic industrial projects in air defence and long-range weapons, as well as the potential to localize production of Gripen fighters using British technology. Furthermore, the two countries will work together to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence and supply ammunition for air defence systems. This cooperation is crucial in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression, including its latest large-scale combined attack.
Plans for Future Cooperation
Shmyhal and Healey also discussed preparations for a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format), which is planned for February. This meeting will provide a platform for further discussion on defence cooperation between Ukraine and its international partners. The century-long partnership between Ukraine and the UK provides for long-term defence cooperation, including joint projects in the field of security and the defence industry. The partnership is a significant development in Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen its defence capabilities and counter Russian aggression.
Background and Context
The production of the Octopus drone is not a new development, as Ukrainska Pravda earlier reported that the drone went into mass production in Ukraine in November 2025. The interceptors will be built by Heneral Chereshnia, a Ukrainian defence firm, which signed a licence agreement with the Ministry of Defence in December 2025. The partnership between Ukraine and the UK is a significant development in the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression, and it demonstrates the commitment of both countries to strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities. The production of the Octopus drone is a crucial step towards enhancing Ukraine’s air defence and countering Russian aggression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the defence partnership between Ukraine and the UK is a significant development in the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression. The production of the Octopus drone is a crucial step towards enhancing Ukraine’s air defence and countering Russian aggression. The partnership includes cooperation on several key security areas, including joint strategic industrial projects in air defence and long-range weapons. The meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (Ramstein format) in February will provide a platform for further discussion on defence cooperation between Ukraine and its international partners. Overall, the defence partnership between Ukraine and the UK is a positive development in the efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s defence capabilities and counter Russian aggression.