UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK Defence Secretary John Healey says Britain will mass-produce drones with Ukraine to build a “drone wall” protecting Nato from Russian threats.
As reported by The Telegraph, John Healey confirmed British-made drones will form a “drone wall” to protect NATO from potential Russian aggression.
What did John Healey reveal about the joint UK-Ukraine drone programme?
The UK and Ukraine have developed low-cost drones as part of a defence scheme to counter Russian President Vladimir Putin’s jets and drones on NATO’s eastern flank.
John Healey said Nato nations will counter Russia’s “reckless” and “dangerous” incursions with new border protections.
Under Project Octopus, Britain and Ukraine will build interceptor drones in UK factories for rapid deployment against Russia.
Earlier this week, European officials considered a “drone wall,” placing ground-launched drones along borders to intercept Russian drones and missiles.
Mr Healey said Britain plans to mass-produce drones using its
“modern manufacturing techniques that we have in this country that they haven’t got” and “supply them back in the thousands to help Ukraine defend themselves”.
In a first-of-its-kind agreement, the UK and Ukraine will share intellectual property, allowing drone deployment across Nato member states.
The Defence Secretary stated that the drones have proven effective against Iranian Shahed drones and cost less than a tenth of rival systems.
According to him, the drones could also be used as a missile defence to protect UK military sites and critical infrastructure.
Mr Healy said,
“We’re ready with allies through NATO to demonstrate to Putin that his aggression and his incursions, reckless or intentional, will be challenged.”
Europe’s response to suspected Russian drone incursions
European ministers have raised concerns over Russian incursions into Polish and Estonian airspace, with Britain responding by deploying RAF Typhoons over Poland.
A suspected Russian “hybrid” drone incursion occurred this week in Denmark and Norway.
Swedish authorities reported unidentified drones over the Karlskrona archipelago, a few miles from a naval base, with residents confirming sightings and police verifying one drone.
The Danish Defence Ministry said drones were spotted at several military sites after a “hybrid attack” earlier in the week, with Russia suspected.
Denmark’s Deputy Prime Minister, Troels Lund Poulsen, said the drones were likely operated by a “professional actor” with no direct blame on Russia.
Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s prime minister, added,
“There is one main country that poses a threat to Europe’s security, and it is Russia.”
The airspace over Oslo Airport was closed for three hours amid drone sightings.
Authorities in Norway are probing a potential drone sighting at Ørland Main Air Station, the country’s largest military base and central hub for aircraft.
Russia denied any involvement, saying the claim is “firmly rejected.”
According to Estonia, three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered its airspace and remained for 12 minutes unauthorized.
In response, the country is extending its border fence and adding anti-tank ditches against a potential land war with Russia.
US President Donald Trump and Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte said Nato members should target Russian forces that breach their airspace if required.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Europe must prevent the war from expanding, as allies warn Russia against further escalation.
Yvette Cooper’s views on Russian actions and NATO security
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper criticized Russian violations of NATO airspace, saying,
“They are a deliberate attempt to undermine the territorial integrity of sovereign nations and European security.”
She said,
“They risk miscalculation. They open the door to direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia.”
Ms Cooper warned,
“Your reckless actions risk direct armed confrontation between NATO and Russia. Our alliance is defensive, but be under no illusion, we stand ready to take all steps necessary to defend NATO’s skies and NATO’s territory.”
She added,
“We are vigilant. We are resolute. And if we need to confront planes that are operating in Nato airspace without permission, then we will do so.”
What did John Healey say about the new “forces first” housing programme?
John Healey announced a “forces first” housing programme on Ministry of Defence land to tackle poor accommodation for military personnel.
The Defence Secretary confirmed 100,000 homes could be built on MoD land this parliament, part of the government’s target of 1.5 million houses by 2029, with military families and veterans given priority to buy or rent.
He added,
“I want to change the recognition that there is amongst the forces and their families, that they recognise we’re a government on their side.”
The Defence Minister has launched a pilot scheme at MoD Feltham in Middlesex, expected to create hundreds of new homes and jobs.
Ukraine-Russia war
The conflict started in February 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea. It escalated into a full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022. Since then, over 13,800 civilians have lost their lives. Between 2014 and 2021, 3,400 civilians were killed in Donbas.
Ukrainian forces suffered around 4,400 deaths in the earlier phase, with 6,500 separatist fighters killed.