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New Zealand Company to Send $40 Million in Drones to Ukraine, Keir Starmer Reveals

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Vlad Litnarovych
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New Zealand Company to Send $40 Million in Drones to Ukraine, Keir Starmer Reveals
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (2R) look at SYOS Aerospace drones and UAVs during a visit to a British army base in the west of England, on April 22, 2025. (Source: Getty Images)

New Zealand-based defense company Syos Aerospace will supply Ukraine with over $40 million worth of drones, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced, according to New Zeeland media The Post on April 23.

Syos Aerospace manufactures a diverse range of unmanned systems, including aerial drones, robotic ground vehicles, and maritime drones. While the exact models bound for Ukraine have not been disclosed, the deal underscores growing international support for Kyiv’s defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion.

The company’s flagship model is the SA200 unmanned helicopter, which can carry payloads of up to 200 kg and fly for two hours. Equipped with an extended-range fuel tank, the SA200 can conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) or electronic warfare (EW) missions with a range of nearly 1,000 kilometers and an endurance of over eight hours.

Syos Aerospace SA200 unmanned helicopter. (Source: Syos Aerospace)
Syos Aerospace SA200 unmanned helicopter. (Source: Syos Aerospace)

Syos also offers the SM300, an autonomous surface drone with a payload capacity of 300 kg and an operational range of 650 miles. It can be fitted with various mission-specific systems upon request and supports AI-powered mission planning, swarm operation capabilities, and other advanced features.

Syos Aerospace SM300 autonomous surface drone. (Source: Syos Aerospace)
Syos Aerospace SM300 autonomous surface drone. (Source: Syos Aerospace)

On the ground, Syos markets the SG400 UGV, a 6×6 autonomous robotic vehicle that can optionally be outfitted with tracked propulsion for rough terrain. Built for durability and efficiency, the SG400 can carry payloads of up to 500 kg and travel long distances at high speed. The listed range of the vehicle is up to 230 kilometers.

Syos Aerospace SG400 UGV, a 6×6 autonomous robotic vehicle. (Source: Syos Aerospace)
Syos Aerospace SG400 UGV, a 6×6 autonomous robotic vehicle. (Source: Syos Aerospace)

While it remains unclear which specific models are included in the deal, reports suggest the agreement will likely be executed through Syos’ UK-based operations in Fareham, Hampshire.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense officially codified and approved the domestically produced UNEX UGV, a remotely operated, amphibious armored platform, for deployment across the country’s Defense Forces.

Developed on a specialized chassis, the self-driving platform is designed for maximum mobility across some of the most extreme environments. The UNEX UGV can navigate water, swamps, bogs, mud, sand, rough terrain, and even ice with ease.

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