Ukraine's experience in using drones could prove useful in resolving the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, British Armed Forces Minister Alistair Carnes said, quoted by Reuters.
Carnes stressed that Ukraine remains a top priority for the UK's defense.
„Ukraine has some of the best technology in the world, developed during wartime. I think this could be useful in the Middle East, as we are already seeing in the fight against Shahed drones, right up to the Strait of Hormuz,“ said Carnes during a visit to Kiev on Friday, April 10.
The British minister noted that while the UK provides Ukraine with funding, training and military capabilities, it can learn a lot from Kiev in the field of military innovation, especially in drone technology and the use of artificial intelligence.
Against this background, the British politician called on Ukraine to accelerate the export of its modern technologies to carve out a niche for itself in the global market, as well as to facilitate the exchange of experience and developments with NATO allies.
Kiev has sent 201 military experts to the Middle East to protect against Shahed drones and is ready to provide an additional 34 specialists, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in March.
He noted that the country is ready to cooperate in the creation of unmanned aerial vehicles and the development of military technology, with Ukraine capable of producing up to 2,000 interceptor drones per day and supplying half of them to its allies.
Ukraine issued its first export licenses in February 2026. Kiev hopes to attract funds to expand its defense industry, while using its weapons as diplomatic leverage in relations with its allies, the agency notes. However, some industry executives complain that Kiev is delaying the approval of licenses and risks missing the opportunity presented by the war with Iran.
A factory for the production of Ukrainian interceptor drones is located in the UK, the production of which began in February. Another Ukrainian military technology company based in the UK, UForce, produces Magura naval drones. Earlier in April, the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Kirill Budanov, admitted that Ukrainian drones are produced exclusively from foreign components and imported equipment, describing Ukraine only as a “consumer“.