Britain To Construct Fast Attack Drone Boats For Ukrainian Forces
The U.K is partnering with the Ministry of Defence to build multifunctional maritime drones for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.
The project will not only improve the defence capabilities of Ukraine but also create new opportunities for innovation in the field of autonomous military technologies.
The search for development partners will start in the COOKSON Challenge session on January 22, 2025, in London, which will include NATO industrial partners, experts from Ukraine and members of the Five Eyes Alliance.
The aim is to create a design of the drone which can operate in Ukrainian waters and can be employed in several other missions in a broad geographical context, beyond the Black Sea.
It should be a high-speed attack craft equipped with modular weapons systems and the ability to undertake various operational missions.
The drone is expected to be reusable and resilient to the enemy’s electronic warfare systems. It should be able to operate even if it loses communication with the main control station and carry out dual munitions for greater strike efficiency.
The main features of the COOKSON system include a top speed of more than 40 knots in rough seas, a 1300 km operational range when fully loaded and an endurance of 72 hours during missions.
The drone should not be caught on radar easily and must be able to launch multiple missiles with high-explosive warheads, with a range of 30 to 100 km, allowing Ukraine to hit targets from a distance and defend critical infrastructure on its territory.
Additionally, the system should be able to tackle other drones and helicopters, allowing Ukraine to protect its maritime and airspace and increase operational flexibility in several combat scenarios.
The project must be cost-effective and affordable. The initial production target is 20 units per month, and scale production capacity to 2-3 units per month within the first 6 months after the initial orders.
Testing of prototypes will begin by the end of 2025 or in 2026, with the first deliveries including 100 systems which will be integrated with the new platform.
The project will become an intrinsic component of Ukraine’s future defence strategy and increase the country’s resilience against enemy attacks.
References: UK Defence Journal, Bulgarian Military
