Ukrainian-British joint venture to build Raybird drones in U.K., bolstering Ukraine’s defense efforts

LONDON — Ukrainian drone maker Skyeton and U.K.-based defense firm Prevail Partners have formed a joint venture to manufacture Raybird surveillance drones in the United Kingdom, the companies announced July 2.

The new venture, Skyeton Prevail Solutions, will scale up production and provide support for the integration of the Raybird platform into U.K. and allied defense systems. Manufacturing in Britain is expected to accelerate deliveries of the drone to both Ukraine and Western militaries.

“This partnership will fast-track volume manufacturing, supply, and integration support for our best-in-class drone for U.K. military applications,” the companies said in a joint statement.

Zelensky and Starmer seal military production pact

The move follows a June 23 meeting in London between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and newly elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, where both leaders signed a military co-production agreement aimed at boosting joint defense capabilities.

Raybird drones already battle-tested in Ukraine

The Raybird, developed by Kyiv-based Skyeton, is a long-range, fixed-wing UAV used for reconnaissance and intelligence missions. The drone has logged more than 350,000 flight hours, according to the company, and has been credited with helping Ukraine inflict billions of dollars in losses on Russian forces.

Raybird is a small tactical unmanned aerial system developed by Ukrainian aerospace company Skyeton, designed primarily for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The fixed-wing drone has a wingspan of up to 4.2 meters, weighs around 23 kilograms, and can remain airborne for more than 28 hours while covering distances of nearly 2,500 kilometers.

Operating at altitudes up to 5,500 meters, the Raybird is capable of launching via mechanical catapult from unprepared terrain, making it highly mobile and adaptable to front-line conditions. It is engineered to withstand harsh weather, electronic warfare, and GPS-denied environments, and features a modular design that allows rapid payload swaps—including optical sensors, SAR radars, and RF locators—without the need for tools.

With more than 350,000 flight hours logged in combat, Raybird has proven itself as a reliable and cost-effective drone, playing a critical role in Ukraine’s surveillance and targeting operations against Russian forces.

Production shift supports both Ukraine and U.K.

As Ukraine continues to rely heavily on drone technology to offset shortages in foreign military aid—particularly in air defense and long-range strike systems—expanding production abroad is seen as a critical step in sustaining its battlefield resilience.

U.K. lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith welcomed the announcement, calling it “an important step” in strengthening Britain’s domestic drone capabilities while supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.

Ukraine emerges as drone innovator amid war

The partnership also underscores Ukraine’s emergence as a key innovator in unmanned systems, following years of development spurred by Russia’s 2014 invasion and the full-scale war that began in 2022.

Photos courtesy of Raybird.