Ukraine’s armed forces will receive a new wave of advanced attack drones under a £30 million deal agreed between the UK government and defence technology firm Anduril UK, according to a press release.
The contract, backed by the International Fund for Ukraine (IFU), will see Anduril UK supply cutting-edge Altius 600m and Altius 700m drones—known as loitering munitions—designed to monitor areas and strike enemy targets.
The announcement comes ahead of Defence Secretary John Healey MP’s meeting with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon today.
The UK government has reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression, with the latest agreement following a recent summit of world leaders in London. At the meeting, Prime Minister Keir Starmer and allied nations agreed that continued military aid is essential to securing a lasting peace for Ukraine.
Healey, who visited Anduril’s facility in Washington D.C. yesterday, spoke with British and American staff at the firm. Founded in California, Anduril has been expanding its presence in the UK, aligning with the government’s aim to strengthen national security while creating skilled jobs.
Speaking about the UK’s continued support for Ukraine, Healey said:
“We are determined to achieve a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine, which means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to prevent any return to Russian aggression.”
The UK has already supplied Ukraine’s armed forces with more than 10,000 drones, which have been instrumental in disrupting Russian troop movements and striking targets behind the frontline. The latest contract builds on previous military assistance, including a £2.26 billion loan funded by seized Russian assets and £1.6 billion worth of air defence missiles pledged last week.
Dr Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril UK and Europe, expressed the company’s commitment to the partnership, stating:
‘Anduril UK is proud to partner with the UK Government, working hand in glove to deliver vital capabilities for the UK and its Allies. Our focus on developing and deploying technology where and when it’s needed is at the core of everything we do – from the rapid delivery of Altius to Ukraine to the expansion of our presence here in the UK. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Ministry of Defence to protect our nation and our allies.’
The work with Anduril UK has been led by Defence Equipment & Support, the procurement arm of the Ministry of Defence, on behalf of the UK-administered IFU. The fund, supported by 10 countries, now totals more than £1.3 billion, with the UK contributing £500 million.
Will we ever deploy any of this stuff ourselves?
Will it ever be built here? We need to start stipulating this for everything considering US policy. Special relationship can become not so special it seems in a blink of an eye.
And if you look at the ITAR integrated stuff constricts what we can do (storm shadow, rivet joint use)
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Anduril are a bit of Maverick compared to most US Defence companies and tend to use a lot of OTS components in their designs. Also they don’t have the Legacy drag of keeping US manufacturing facilities going. In the US they are trying to muscle in on the Big boys territory by being lean and fast to build affordable but hi tech innovative products, their Barracuda 500 has rattled those companies.
I wouldn’t be at all surprise if they don’t actually set up a British Manufacturing base to negate ITAR and access the lucrative new European Defence build up.
As long as it builds our industrial capacity we don’t necessarily need it ourselves…although we do need something like it to actually get our armed forces working with this kit and developing its own procedures.
The little one can loiter for 4 hours. Quick google, these are American and looking like we are making them.
Obviously in the field experience will be with non American suppliers whilst there is an American embargo to Ukraine
Anduril seems to have rebranded itself as an Anglo American company in the press today. I wonder why 😀