Why Putin can’t escape Ukraine’s UAV’s | Frontline drone special

(LONDON) – Ukrainian drone technology is playing an increasingly central role in battlefield operations, enabling precise targeting and improving coordination between reconnaissance and strike systems, according to interviews conducted at the DSEI defence exhibition in London.

A representative of a Ukrainian unmanned aerial systems developer said its flagship platform, known as the Shark, is designed to identify targets and direct fire from multiple systems. “It spots the targets and directs the fires, whether it be other UAVs or artillery or multi launch rocket systems,” the representative said.

The systems are capable of operating in heavily contested electronic warfare environments, with developers stating they have demonstrated survivability under battlefield conditions. “We have many different sizes of that kind of system that can be deployed, and we can work in the difficult electronic warfare contested environment. We have proven that we can survive that battlefield.”

Speaking on Times Radio’s Frontline programme, presenter Philip Ingram said the technology represents a significant shift in modern warfare, describing it as “battle winning technology”.

At the exhibition, UK based firm Kallen Lens outlined its role in supporting Ukraine through rapid prototyping and scaled production of unmanned systems. The company has operated for more than 17 years, focusing on developing aircraft quickly and transitioning them into operational use.

Company representatives said their approach centres on small, highly skilled teams capable of designing and testing systems rapidly using dedicated workshops and airfields. “The idea is having a smart team solving problems and then developing new aircraft and putting those into flight,” a spokesperson said.

The firm said recent conflicts have accelerated its production capabilities, enabling it to support Ukraine and government requirements more effectively.

Its systems are primarily used for surveillance, carrying cameras to monitor terrain, identify targets, and support military operations. “They are used by forces to monitor the landscape, see what is going on, and identify targets,” the company said.

Developers noted that while core flight technologies are well established, the primary challenge lies in scaling production and building reliable supply chains to meet demand. The company said it is prioritising UK based manufacturing and partnerships to strengthen domestic capability.

Feedback from Ukrainian forces has played a key role in system development. The company said it received detailed operational feedback, including a 12 page report, which enabled rapid software updates and deployment improvements. “We were able to respond quickly, develop the software, test it, and send updates to support Ukrainian forces,” the spokesperson said.

Looking ahead, the firm said it is focused on maintaining flexibility, allowing systems to be tailored to specific mission requirements and rapidly adapted for future use.

Separately, Ukrainian company Ukra Systems announced plans to expand manufacturing operations in the United Kingdom. The company said its systems are currently responsible for a large proportion of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support for high precision strike missions.

“We are responsible for 90 percent of the HIMARS missions in Ukraine right now,” a company representative said, referring to targeting support functions. “The system spots targets and directs fires.”

The company confirmed plans to establish production facilities east of Cambridge, with expected job creation ranging between 200 and 500 roles across engineering and manufacturing.

The facility is expected to begin production in January next year, with a focus on strengthening supply chains and supporting both Ukrainian and UK defence capabilities.

Executives said the expansion also includes collaboration with academic institutions to develop training programmes and apprenticeships aimed at building long term expertise in unmanned systems.