Ukraine\u2019s largest drone manufacturers open new factory in Suffolk, creating up to 500 jobs and boosting economic growth.
\n Factory to produce cutting-edge drones, providing critical support in Ukraine\u2019s fight for freedom, four years on from Putin\u2019s illegal invasion.
\n The UK stands with Ukraine, with over \u00a31 billion committed for the country\u2019s air defences since July 2024.<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s Armed Forces will be able to better defend itself against Russia\u2019s brutal attacks after one of Ukraine\u2019s largest drone manufacturers opens a new factory in Suffolk.<\/p>\n
Four years on from Putin\u2019s illegal invasion, the UK is backing Ukraine by hosting a new Ukrspecsystems production facility in East Anglia. The UK has previously ordered over 80 SHARK and Mini-SHARK drones from Ukrspecystems\u2019 factories in Ukraine, which help save Ukrainian lives by combatting Russia\u2019s war effort.<\/p>\n
In a vote of confidence for the UK, Ukrspecsystems chose sites in Mildenhall and Elmsett\u00a0in Suffolk for their new drone factory and testing and training facility. The company\u2019s \u00a3200 million investment will create up to 500 British jobs at the sites and broader UK supply chain.<\/p>\n
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said:<\/p>\n
Our resolve to support Ukraine is stronger than ever, and we are backing Ukraine\u2019s defiant Armed Forces as they fight for peace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ukrspecsystems\u2019 new factory is a vote of confidence in UK support and underlines the deepening cooperation between our nations\u2019 defence industries.\u00a0This 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\u2019s aggression.<\/p>\n
The facility was opened by Defence Minister Luke Pollard yesterday, reaffirming the UK\u2019s continued support for Ukraine. This follows more than \u00a31 billion committed to support Ukraine\u2019s air defences since July 2024, helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian drone attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Ukrspecsystems is a Ukrainian drone company, founded in 2014, which produces a wide variety of drones, including the PD-2 and SHARK-M surveillance drones which communicate autonomously with strike drones to identify, track\u00a0and destroy Russian targets. Ukrspecsystems\u2019 drones have contributed to almost $3 billion of damage to Putin\u2019s war machine since the onset of the full-scale invasion.<\/p>\n
The UK has separately started producing Octopus interceptor drones, aiming to ramp up to thousands per month, designed to take out Russian Shaheeds and other weapons at a fraction of the cost, part of the Ministry of Defence\u2019s \u00a34.5 billion military support\u00a0package.<\/p>\n