A new £200 million drone factory in Suffolk, to be operated by one of Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturers, has handed the country’s Armed Forces a boost as the war with Russia enters its fifth year. Ukrspecsystems has chosen sites in Mildenhall and Elmsett for its UK production, testing and training facilities. The investment is expected to create up to 500 jobs in the East of England and strengthen the broader UK defence supply chain.

The factory will produce cutting-edge drones that provide critical support to Ukraine’s fight for freedom, four years on from Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion. The UK has already purchased more than 80 SHARK and Mini-SHARK drones from Ukrspecsystems’ Ukrainian factories.

These drones have helped save Ukrainian lives by countering Russian attacks on both military and civilian targets, demonstrating the value of sustained defence cooperation.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard, who officially opened the facility yesterday, said: “Our resolve to support Ukraine is stronger than ever. This investment underlines the deepening cooperation between our defence industries, and will help Ukraine defend itself against Putin’s aggression while creating hundreds of jobs here in East Anglia.”

Ukrspecsystems UK Director Rory Chamberlain added that the facility would provide a secure and resilient supply chain for drones relied upon by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Mr Chamberlain said: “By producing drones in the UK, we are increasing the resilience of the defence industrial base, ensuring that critical capabilities can be built and scaled without interruption.”

The Suffolk facility complements the UK’s domestic production of Octopus interceptor drones, part of a £4.5 billion military support package. These drones are designed to neutralise Russian Shahed drones and other aerial threats at a fraction of the cost, enhancing Ukraine’s ability to protect civilians and infrastructure.

Since July 2024, the UK has committed over £1 billion to support Ukraine’s air defences, reflecting a long-term pledge to back the country’s armed forces as they resist Russian aggression.

Ukrspecsystems’ PD-2 and SHARK-M drones operate autonomously alongside strike drones to identify, track and destroy Russian targets. Since the full-scale invasion began, these systems have inflicted almost $3 billion of damage on Russia’s war machinery.

The factory also exemplifies the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership, combining British industrial expertise with Ukrainian innovation and battlefield experience. Delivered with the support of both governments and in partnership with British SMEs, it is a prime example of ‘Made with Ukraine’ in action.

Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK General Valerii Zaluzhnyi said: “This factory represents more than industrial cooperation – it is part of a new European security architecture built on shared responsibility and shared production. Together, we are strengthening the capabilities needed to deter aggression and protect our shared values.”

The launch follows the announcement of a new business centre in Kyiv, enabling UK defence innovators to accelerate work equipping Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

It also aligns with the UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy, designed to make it easier for companies to operate in the UK, drive economic growth, and support Ukraine’s defence needs in line with the Strategic Defence Review.

With its combination of advanced production, job creation, and direct support for Ukrainian forces, the Suffolk factory signals the UK’s continued commitment to European security and the long-term resilience of both nations’ defence industries.