The first Ukrainian drone factory has started production in the UK. The announcement of the former head of the army of Kiev
General Valerii Zalujnyi, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, in London, in Trafalgar Square, on February 24, 2025. PHOTO: Guy Bell / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
Ukraine's first drone production plant has started operating in the United Kingdom, Ukraine's ambassador to London, Valerii Zalujnyi, said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
The manufacturing company Ukrspecsystems, founded in 2014, has proven the effectiveness of its drones on the battlefield, said Zalujnîi, a former commander of the Ukrainian armed forces during the first part of the Russian invasion.
“Ukraine is fighting under conditions of constant missile attacks, destruction of infrastructure and threats to production facilities. Therefore, the launch of production in the UK has a deep strategic logic,” he said in a message published on the Telegram messaging app.
“It is not about moving the center of gravity from Ukraine, but about expanding our joint capabilities and creating a second line of defense that guarantees the continuity of production,” the former head of the Ukrainian army also said.
Ukraine's defense industry developed rapidly during the four years of war with Russia. Its production capacity is estimated at around 50 billion dollars this year, covering more than 50% of the needs of the Ukrainian army, writes Reuters, according to Agerpres.
The industry is preparing to begin exports, capitalizing on its “battle-tested” reputation to help strengthen the Ukrainian economy and budget revenues while supporting the front lines.
Valerii Zalujnîi stated that the center of engineering expertise will remain in Ukraine, while production will be integrated into the British defense industry.
Ukrspecsystems announced on its website that it is working in the UK as part of the 1Force consortium, in collaboration with British Eagle Eye Innovations and Digital Concepts Engineering.
