A demonstration of the latest version of the Ukrainian interceptor drone, Octopus, took place in Kyiv for a British delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, according to the Ministry of Defense.
The Octopus drone, developed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, features an AI-based control system.
It is intended to counter Shahed-type drones, with its combat effectiveness already proven.
The collaboration between manufacturers and military personnel constantly enhances this technology and creates a robust R&D ecosystem.
Drone production is being rolled out in both Ukraine and the UK.
The transfer of technology for Octopus production in British companies was made possible by reforms in the intellectual property sector of the Ministry of Defense.
Specifically, in May 2025, a dedicated Intellectual Property Department was established within the Ministry. Experts ensured compliance with legal standards during the licensing agreement with the UK government, including:
- legal protection of the technology in Ukraine;
- submission of an application for international patent registration;
- support for the licensing agreement with the UK Ministry of Defense.
In November 2025, delegations from the Ukrainian and British Ministries of Defense signed a licensing agreement for the Octopus interceptor drone, paving the way for its production in the UK. Production volumes could reach several thousand drones per month. The manufactured units will be delivered to Ukraine to strengthen air defense. The Ministry notes that this agreement marks the first instance of Ukraine entering into a deal for state-owned technology. This precedent opens new avenues for bilateral exchanges of defense technologies with partner countries.
