Public Affairs professionals have a critical role to play in UK and Ukrainian security
Sat across the table from the Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Sergiy Boyev at an undisclosed military building in Kyiv, I was told a clear message: Ukraine needs a fleet of drones that possess the same characteristics as the Kalashnikov, easy to make, accessible, cheap and abundant. This is to compliment the growing number of innovative, cutting-edge drones being produced by Ukrainian tech companies. Here, Jonah Munn, senior parliamentary researcher for the Labour Party, explains how public affairs professionals have both an opportunity and a duty to play a part.
Minister Boyev was not the only person to make this case to me on the weeklong trip accompanying MPs to Ukraine. The need for a “flying Kalashnikov” drone was reiterated during our briefing at the Ukrainian Parliament with Economic Committee Chair Dmytro Natalukha and his fellow MP, Oleksandr Marikovsky. And it was further corroborated when we met Deputy Economy Minister Oleksii Sobolev, who called on Britain to urgently help Kyiv scale up drone production.
Why are drones so important? Konstantin, a front-line lieutenant I met in Kyiv told me “We could get to a place where our front lines are completely held by drones”. If Putin’s army can be pinned down in trenches solely through mass drone formations, this could free up troop allocations elsewhere on the front and save Ukrainian lives. I was told how in 2024, around only one per cent of Ukraine’s drones on the frontline had autonomous targeting capabilities. In 2024, this had risen to 10 per cent and by 2026 is expected to account for four out of every ten drones – a huge shift in battlefield tactics as both sides continue to embrace greater automation and AI. That’s why the UK must do more to ensure its defence companies are leading the charge alongside our Ukrainian allies. This is where Public Affairs professionals have an opportunity, and a duty, to support the sector.
I saw first-hand at UNIT City tech and innovation space, as well as at Fincord-Polytech Science Park, that the Ukrainian drone sector has immense potential. However, it desperately needs access to UK capital to scale-up, with more joint ventures between British and Ukrainian defence companies vital to driving further innovation and interoperability. Public Affairs professionals representing the defence, tech and AI sectors can contribute to Ukrainian security, UK business interests, and future UK security by encouraging partnership between UK and Ukrainian defence companies.
I also heard from Ukraine based security expert, James Rushton of the indispensable nature of small recon drones like the DJI Mavic. The UK could purchase these in large numbers on the commercial market, given they are used by every Ukrainian unit for battlefield surveillance. This presents a significant opportunity to UK defence and tech companies.
Increasing the number of joint ventures as well as increasing access to capital would boost domestic defence production in Ukraine and send a powerful message to Putin that despite Russian troops often substantially outnumbering them, Ukrainian forces can prevail. Further, it is harsh reality that it is only a matter of time before British troops face an adversary using drones. The UK armed forces can learn from the Ukrainian use of drones, allowing our forces to be better prepared.
This government has shown leadership on defence, only this week increasing defence spending to 2.5% from April 2027. On drones specifically, the Government committed to increasing the quantity and quality of drones being provided to Ukraine through national and international partnerships such as the UK co-lead Drone Capability Coalition. And last month, the government has committed a further 30,000 new attack and surveillance drones. But there is so much more to do.
Public Affairs professionals possess the power to give Ukraine tools to fight smarter. Harnessing the possibilities presented by new technology, the Russians can be outmanoeuvred on the battlefield. Simultaneously, this presents UK defence and tech companies with major opportunities for joint working, while strengthening UK national security.