On 9 September, Edward Morello MP asked the Ministry of Defence what steps were being taken to improve Britain’s domestic capability in drone technology production.
Responding, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the department is working closely with industry and allies to ensure the UK keeps pace with rapid advances. He noted that “Defence routinely engages with industry to iterate, and spiral develop capability in close cooperation with allies.”
A key part of this approach is drawing lessons from active conflicts, particularly Ukraine. Pollard explained that “one of the key mechanisms to ensure that Defence is up to date with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics is learning lessons from global conflicts and through our support to Ukraine, where drone capabilities are developed and exploited in cooperation with drone component suppliers.”
The Strategic Defence Review set out new structures to formalise this effort. Pollard confirmed that “the recommendation to establish a Defence Uncrewed System Centre (DUSC) at Initial Operating Capability by February 2026 will be an important cohering and directing component alongside the Defence Uncrewed Systems Design Authority (DUxDA) for advancing the UK’s domestic capability in drone technology production.”
He added that specific innovations seen in Ukraine, including the development of wired drone technology, would directly inform British capability choices. “Lessons have been learned with regard to developments in wired drone technology witnessed in the Ukraine conflict which will inform a broader understanding of where to focus Defence capability development as outlined in the SDR,” Pollard said.
He concluded that Defence will continue to invest in drones in tandem with British industry to strengthen sovereign capabilities and ensure the UK remains competitive in an area that is reshaping the future battlefield.
We have so many plans we’ve no money for any planes..
@Geoff
Very good!
I have no idea how all of this can be done with no new money – as far as I can see there is none of that incoming.
All the spending is going to be future promises against growth – which won’t get started whilst we are taxed into the ground and tied up in red tape.
The only way of getting the merrygoround working again is to give the welfare bill a very good prune.
I’m sure you’re right about no new money. I’ve never believed there ever would be. I also think that’s why the MOD are drowning us in announcements that never make sense – they’ve nothing else to offer.
Let’s cut to the chase
We’ve a budget of 60 billion pounds, imagine Ukraine having that.
Money isn’t the issue it’s top to tail incompetence.