UK Military Is Developing Two Maritime Drones for Ukrainian Forces

The United Kingdom is developing “Wasp” and “Snapper” maritime drones to enhance Ukraine’s capabilities in the Black Sea, the Naval Technology news outlet reported.

On January 28, during a government event, the Secretary of State for Defense, John Healey, announced the completion of three short-term classified weapons development projects, one of which includes these unmanned systems.

Disclosed in UK parliamentary written responses on February 4, 2025, UK Minister for Defence Procurement Maria Eagle stated that both Wasp and Snapper unmanned maritime drones are “a new uncrewed maritime system” that had been “rapidly developed” specifically to support Ukraine.

“The system is currently undergoing final testing, and further details will be set out in due course,” Eagle stated.

Naval drones are becoming an essential element of modern warfare. They have been deployed to strike Russian military vessels in the Black Sea, target strategic sites like ports, fuel depots, and air defense systems, and disrupt key assets in occupied territories.

Earlier, on January 8, the UK Ministry of Defense unveiled plans for the development of a versatile maritime drone system. The project aims to create a fast, low-observable maritime drone capable of conducting operations both within Ukraine and beyond its borders.