WASHINGTON -- The U.K. Ministry of Defense has awarded a £12.3 million ($16.4 million) contract to British defence technology start-up Kraken Technology Group to supply a fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for the Royal Navy. The contract was awarded following a competitive tender process involving 12 bidders, including major defence companies such as BAE Systems, Kongsberg, and L3Harris.

The USVs have been procured as part of project BEEHIVE, a Royal Navy initiative intended to accelerate experimentation and integrate large numbers of relatively low-cost uncrewed platforms alongside conventional ships. Managed through the Royal Navy’s Surface Flotilla (SURFLOT), Kraken’s USVs will be operated by the Coastal Forces Squadron and 47 Commando Royal Marines.

Source: Naval Lookout
Associated URL: https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-orders-20-high-speed-usvs-for-training-and-development/

KYIV, Ukraine - As conventional air defense systems struggle to keep pace with the economics of modern drone warfare, Ukraine is leveraging its battlefield innovation to become a primary exporter of counter-drone technology. Following a massive aerial exchange between the U.S., Israel, and Iran that depleted Western interceptor stockpiles, the Pentagon and several Gulf states have entered active negotiations to acquire Ukrainian-made interceptor drones. These compact, AI-assisted aircraft cost between $1,000 and $2,500 each and are designed to neutralize incoming strike drones like the Iranian-made Shahed at a fraction of the cost of traditional $4 million Patriot missiles.

Currently, more than 20 Ukrainian companies are mass-producing interceptor drones. In a significant milestone for Kyiv’s defense industry, the United Kingdom recently became the first Western government to license a Ukrainian-designed interceptor for domestic production, a model that four other NATO countries - Germany, France, Italy, and Poland -have since agreed to build upon.

Despite these advancements, Ukrainian officials warn that the technological lifecycle of these systems is approximately six weeks as Russian forces adapt. To maintain its edge, Ukraine’s state-backed innovation hub, Brave1, is fast-tracked more capable platforms with increased payloads and ranges. Kyiv is now positioning its combat-proven expertise as a strategic asset, offering to bolster global drone defenses in exchange for the heavy ballistic missile protection it still requires from the West.

Key Interceptor Systems and Manufacturers

· Wild Hornets’ "Sting": A $2,500 FPV drone with a record of 3,900 kills since May 2025. It reaches speeds of 195 mph and features AI-assisted terminal guidance capable of downing jet-powered targets.

· SkyFall’s "P1-SUN": A budget-friendly $1,000 drone utilizing a 3D-printed modular airframe. The manufacturer claims it has downed over 2,500 drones in four months.

· Ukrspecsystems’ "Octopus": This system has been licensed for production by more than 15 Ukrainian companies, as well as the United Kingdom. It is designed for all-weather reliability and features autonomous targeting capabilities.

· Aero Center & Dwarf Engineering: A collaborative effort producing a comprehensive package that integrates drones, high-capacity payloads (up to 10 kg), and mission control software to interface with existing air defense grids.

Source: Military Times
Associated URL: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/03/11/these-are-ukraines-1000-interceptor-drones-the-pentagon-wants-to-buy/

WADOWICE, POLAND -- Ukraine's Kramatorsk Machine-Building Plant and Poland’s Ponar Wadowice signed a joint venture to produce the Bohdana 155mm self-propelled howitzer and its towed variant in Poland.

The project will supply the Ukrainian artillery system to Poland and foreign customers.

Source: Defense Post
Associated URL: https://thedefensepost.com/2026/03/09/ukrainian-bohdana-howitzer-poland/