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UK-Led Drone Coalition to Deliver 35,000 Interceptors to Ukraine to Stop Russia’s Shaheds
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
The international drone coalition led by the United Kingdom and Latvia will supply Ukraine with about 35,000 drone interceptors to counter Russian Shahed-type drones, the UK government announced on October 14.
According to the government statement, contracts with manufacturers will be finalized over the coming months, funded through contributions from several partner nations in the coalition.
“Interceptor drones are being tested on the battlefield, and the Drone Capability Coalition is expected to sign new contracts soon to deliver additional equipment to Ukraine—including around 35,000 new interception systems in the coming months,” the UK government said.
Over the past six months alone, Britain has delivered more than 85,000 military drones to Ukraine by fast-tracking domestic production and expanding industrial cooperation between the two countries.
During a NATO meeting in Brussels, Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed that London has already invested £600 million ($760 million) this year to accelerate drone deliveries—including tens of thousands of short-range FPV drones crucial for precision strikes, reconnaissance, and disrupting Russian operations behind the front lines.
Healey urged allied nations to “ramp up drone production to outmatch Putin’s escalation,” following recent waves of Russian drone strikes across Ukraine and incursions into European airspace.
The UK’s broader defense plan includes a historic funding boost to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, reinforcing what officials describe as a long-term commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.
“Putin’s dangerous escalation in Ukraine and across Europe must be matched by ramping up our drone production and strengthening NATO’s air defenses,” Healey said.
Electric jet engine & electric powered Kestrel drone interceptor from UK's Green jets. Mach .8, super quiet, no thermal signature & most importantly very affordable to create combat mass. #DSEI2025 #DSEIv pic.twitter.com/BA4gFze0ee
— Tim Robinson (@RAeSTimR) September 10, 2025
“The UK is stepping up our support to Ukraine by delivering over 85,000 drones in the last six months and signing new industrial partnerships to rapidly develop thousands of new interceptor drones to shoot down Putin’s attacks. This is growing jobs in both the UK and Ukraine.”
Healey also announced the extension of the UK’s commitment to NATO’s Eastern Sentry air policing mission through 2025, with British Typhoon fighters continuing defensive patrols over Poland amid Russian drone incursions.
In addition, British counter-drone experts will deploy to Moldova to train its armed forces in defending against unmanned aerial threats.
The UK’s £600 million drone effort is part of a record £4.5 billion ($5.7 billion) military support package for Ukraine this year—covering attack drones, surveillance platforms, logistics UAVs, and other aerial systems.
Much of that spending supports UK-based firms, including Tekever, Windracer, and Malloy, sustaining hundreds of specialized jobs.
Both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have repeatedly emphasized that “the UK’s national security—the foundation of the Government’s Plan for Change—starts in Ukraine.”
Earlier, the United Kingdom and Ukraine agreed to jointly produce interceptor drones intended to counter the swarms of Shahed-type attack drones used against Ukrainian infrastructure, with initial output estimated at 2,000 units per month.
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