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Europe Builds Historic “Drone Wall” With Ukrainian Interceptor Drones to Stop Russian Air Intrusions
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukrainian-made interceptor drones will serve as the foundation of Europe’s planned “drone wall” designed to protect NATO’s eastern borders, according to The Telegraph on September 28.
The systems will be produced in the United Kingdom under the joint Ukrainian–British defense initiative known as Project OCTOPUS.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey told The Telegraph that the drones have already proven their effectiveness against Shahed attack UAVs and cost less than one-tenth of comparable foreign systems.
Project OCTOPUS involves large-scale production of Ukrainian-designed interceptor drones in Britain. These drones are intended to counter repeated incursions of Russian aircraft and unmanned systems into NATO airspace.
Over time, the technology could also be integrated into missile defense frameworks to shield critical infrastructure and military facilities in the UK.
The initiative was first announced at the DSEI defense exhibition in London on September 11, 2025, during the signing of a bilateral defense technology-sharing agreement between Kyiv and London.
According to The Telegraph, NATO allies intend to deploy the OCTOPUS-built drones as part of a broader multi-layered air defense along the alliance’s eastern flank. The goal is to build an integrated “drone wall” to reduce vulnerabilities from Russia’s growing use of unmanned systems for reconnaissance and strikes.
The UK has already positioned itself as a European leader in unmanned technologies. Alongside Project OCTOPUS, London is pursuing other joint ventures with Ukraine, including Project COOKSON, which focuses on developing a modular maritime drone capable of long-range operations and resilience against electronic warfare.
According to the UK Ministry of Defence, COOKSON aims to deliver a fast, low-profile strike vessel with a range of 1,300 kilometers, autonomous endurance of 72 hours, and the ability to carry multiple weapons, including short-range air defense systems to counter drones and helicopters.
Earlier, on September 15, European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius stated that Ukraine would play a key role in building the EU’s eastern “drone wall,” citing Kyiv’s frontline experience and rapid drone deployment capabilities as critical to strengthening European defenses against Russian UAV incursions.
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