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UK to Mass-Produce Ukrainian Octopus-100 Drones in Historic NATO-Backed Deal
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine and the United Kingdom have signed an agreement to co-produce thousands of Octopus-100 interceptor drones under the “Build with Ukraine” initiative, according Army Recognition on October 27.
The deal marks the first serial production of a Ukrainian combat drone within a NATO country, signaling a new stage in defense-industrial cooperation between Kyiv and London.
The agreement, announced on October 25 by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, establishes joint production in the UK.
Signed in London between the two countries’ defense ministries, the accords formalize co-manufacturing of Ukrainian systems on NATO territory—a move aimed at accelerating deliveries and strengthening supply resilience for Ukraine’s armed forces.
The Octopus-100 is described as an interceptor-class drone designed to neutralize hostile unmanned systems and protect key assets.
While technical details remain undisclosed, Army Recognition notes that the project’s large production target—thousands of units—reflects a design approach focused on scalability, modularity, and rapid fielding.
Operationally, the interceptor has been showcased by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting its strategic and political relevance. London is expected to begin production for field testing in Ukraine, establishing a continuous cycle of testing, feedback, and refinement between Ukrainian and British defense industries.
Producing the Octopus-100 in a NATO country offers several advantages, according to Defense News Aerospace.
It disperses industrial risk away from potential strikes on Ukrainian facilities, ensures standardized manufacturing under allied oversight, and enables reliable supply chains for spare parts and training. The cooperation also opens the way for broader allied participation in future Ukrainian production initiatives.
Strategically, the move represents a shift from short-term arms transfers toward integrated defense manufacturing with Ukraine. It reflects a broader trend among Kyiv’s partners to transition from aid to long-term industrial collaboration.
As the report notes, the establishment of a NATO-based production line for interceptor drones aligns with the operational needs of modern warfare—where mass production, electronic warfare resilience, and fast replenishment cycles are crucial.
Earlier, The Telegraph reported that former NATO leaders and senior British commanders urged the UK to consider sharing its nuclear deterrent with Germany amid growing concerns over US reliability and escalating Russian threats.
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