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Ukraine and UK Boost Defense Ties With Focus on Drone Production Under Build With Ukraine Initiative
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![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal met with the senior military leadership of the United Kingdom to discuss strengthening defense cooperation, with a key focus on expanding drone production.
This was reported by Denys Shmyhal via Telegram on August 26.
The talks with UK Chief of Defense Staff Admiral Tony Radakin and Chief of the Air Staff Sir Richard Knighton addressed the pressing needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. The sides emphasized the importance of boosting production of essential types of drones in partnership with British industry and discussed further industrial cooperation under the Build with Ukraine initiative.
The agenda also included international efforts to secure effective security guarantees and the activities of the Coalition of the Willing, which works toward achieving a lasting and just peace. Preparations for the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format, set to take place in London in September, were reviewed as well.
Shmyhal underscored that the United Kingdom continues to provide crucial support to Ukraine during the full-scale war and expressed gratitude for its leadership and steadfast commitment in resisting Russian aggression.
Earlier, the United Kingdom extended Operation Interflex, its flagship program for training Ukrainian troops, until at least the end of 2026.
So far, over 50,000 Ukrainian recruits have completed training in the UK under the initiative, which involves 13 partner nations and ranks among the largest training missions of its kind in the world.
