A Ukrainian drone manufacturer has officially opened its first UK production facility in an expansion of defence industrial cooperation between London and Kyiv.
Ukrspecsystems, described as Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturer, opened the factory in Mildenhall, Suffolk, on 25 February. The site was formally opened by Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, alongside General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
The company said the opening represents a major milestone in its £200 million UK investment and its commitment to creating hundreds of skilled jobs across the East of England. Guests included Ukrainian soldiers currently training in the UK, representatives from the British Army and Ministry of Defence, and local business and education leaders.
Ukrspecsystems’ UK Managing Director, Rory Chamberlain, said the move would strengthen resilience in supply and production.
“Four years on from Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this factory delivers what matters: secure supply, secure resource, and sustained support for Ukraine. By establishing production in the UK, Ukrspecsystems are increasing the resilience of the UK’s defence industrial base, and providing a trusted supply chain that ensures that the drones relied upon by the Ukrainian Armed Forces can be built and scaled without interruption.”
He added: “Delivered with UK and Ukrainian Government support and in partnership with British SMEs, this is ‘Made with Ukraine’ in action – embodying the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership through real industrial capability, happening now in East Anglia.”
Pollard described the investment as a signal of confidence in the UK.
“Our resolve to support Ukraine is stronger than ever, and we are backing Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces as they fight for peace.”
He continued: “Ukrspecsystems’ new factory is a vote of confidence in UK support and underlines the deepening cooperation between our nations’ defence industries. This investment will create up to 500 new jobs in the East of England, drive defence as an engine for growth, and help Ukraine defend itself against Putin’s aggression.”
General Zaluzhnyi framed the project as part of a broader security relationship.
“This factory represents more than industrial cooperation – it is part of a new European security architecture built on shared responsibility and shared production. Ukraine brings battlefield experience and innovation, and together with the United Kingdom we are strengthening the capabilities needed to deter aggression.”
According to the company, drones to be manufactured at Mildenhall will include the PD-2, Shark and Mini-Shark systems. A component and ancillary business, along with elements of research and development, will also operate from the site.
Production at Mildenhall, alongside a testing and training facility at Elmsett, is expected to create up to 500 jobs directly and across the supply chain. Roles will include technical, logistics and administrative positions, supported by an apprenticeship programme.
The opening coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
I like the paint scheme on the drone in the header image 👌
Needs Victory Stripes.
‘Victory stripes’ presumably refers to D-Day identification markings?
Well more like “Invasion Stripes” which later Identified with Victory, so “Victory Stripes” in Ukraine’s own style, maybe with a reversed Z ?
Hopefully there is a comprehensive security plan and suitable perimeter that doesn’t include a sole sleepy G4S patrol. Sabotage by unfriendly forces would be a PR coup for them, and with porous borders means they could be targeted as the pro pal terrorists have shown.
Interesting locatiin choice.