
UK agrees drone defence plan with four EU allies
The scheme will seek to take inspiration from Ukraine's drone manufacturing programme.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"To be effective at shooting down relatively low-cost missiles, drones and other threats facing us, we need to make sure that we're matching the cost of the threat with the cost of defence."
— Luke Pollard , Politician
"To be effective at shooting down relatively low-cost missiles, drones and other threats facing us, we need to make sure that we're matching the cost of the threat with the cost of defence."
— Luke Pollard , Politician
"The UK and our E5 partners are stepping up — investing together in the next generation of air defense and autonomous systems to strengthen NATO’s shield."
— Luke Pollard , Politician
"We also signed a crucial commitment regarding the joint development of drone-based strike capabilities, low-cost joint production, and joint procurement of drone effectors, i.e, combat payloads, using artificial intelligence."
— Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz , Politician
"If we want to keep our country safe, we must strengthen our hard power."
— Kaja Kallas , Politician
Key People
Kaja Kallas is the High Representative of the European Union, advocating for European cooperation and support in geopolitical matters.
Luke Pollard is Britain’s minister for defense readiness and industry.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz is Poland’s defense minister.
Tags
All Coverage
The scheme will seek to take inspiration from Ukraine's drone manufacturing programme.
Five European nations – France, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy – have launched a new programme to develop low-cost air defence systems and autonomous drones, leveraging Ukrainian expertise from four years of war against Russia.
Britain is to develop new air defence weapons alongside the EU's four biggest military powers, deepening ties with the European defence sector. The project will invite manufacturers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Poland to submit plans to build low-cost missiles and autonomous drones.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Ukrainian drone makers target Asia as Taiwan tensions spur demand - Reuters
Ukrainian drone makers target Asia as Taiwan tensions spur demand Reuters
June 19, 2026 at 04:03 AMUK vows to phase out Russian diesel and jet fuel imports by new year
The ban forms part of the government's package of sanctions on Moscow due to the ongoing war with Ukraine.
June 12, 2026 at 07:57 PMDrone strikes beyond the battlefield pump up market for technology to repel them - Reuters
Drone strikes beyond the battlefield pump up market for technology to repel them Reuters
June 18, 2026 at 05:05 AMUkraine, Germany sign agreement on anti-ballistic capabilities, Zelenskiy says - Reuters
Ukraine, Germany sign agreement on anti-ballistic capabilities, Zelenskiy says Reuters
June 18, 2026 at 04:15 PMStarmer tells Rutte UK will publish defence plan before NATO July summit - Reuters
Starmer tells Rutte UK will publish defence plan before NATO July summit Reuters
June 13, 2026 at 03:12 PMNATO says it agrees to modernise nuclear capabilities - Reuters
NATO says it agrees to modernise nuclear capabilities Reuters
June 18, 2026 at 08:54 AM