The UK will spend an extra £2 billion (over $ 2.7 billion) on drones and seek to introduce weapons and tactics developed during the war in Ukraine, The Guardian reports, citing the British government's strategic defence review.
The document states that priority will be given to low-cost kamikaze attack drones and more expensive reusable systems. It also envisages the creation of a drone center to share knowledge and improve coordination between different types of armed forces.
Defence Secretary John Healy told MPs the army would become "10 times more lethal" by combining technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence with tanks and artillery.
The strategic review also stated that drones have become "an essential component of ground warfare," and the military should invest in strike UAVs, reconnaissance aircraft, and counter-drone technology.
The publication notes that drones have changed the war in Ukraine. Both sides are actively using strike and reconnaissance UAVs. One of the most striking examples was the attack by Ukrainian drones on Russian strategic aviation on June 1, 2025.
As part of the SBU operation codenamed "Web", Ukraine carried out coordinated attacks with remotely controlled drones hidden inside trucks on air bases deep inside Russia. Ukraine said the estimated value of the Russian strategic aircraft hit during the operation was $ 7 billion.