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Britain and Ukraine have signed a new artificial intelligence partnership that will give UK researchers and technology companies access to Ukrainian battlefield data to develop new defence capabilities.
The agreement was signed in Kyiv by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Under the partnership, the UK is set to become the first international partner to gain access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Labs platform.
Avengers AI Labs collects battlefield data from thousands of daylight cameras and infrared sensors operating across Ukraine.
The system captures millions of objects, including tanks, artillery, air defence systems, infantry and aerial targets. These include Shahed attack drones and reconnaissance UAVs.
The data is used to train AI models and develop systems for military operations.
The partnership will combine this operational data with British universities, researchers, technology companies and engineers. The initial focus will be defence and national security.
British and Ukrainian specialists will work together on challenges facing both countries. The two governments will also examine additional platforms for future collaboration.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “Ukraine has become one of the world’s leading innovators in defence technology, forged through courage, ingenuity and the hard lessons of war.
“This groundbreaking partnership will bring together Ukraine’s unrivalled operational experience with Britain’s world-class AI ecosystem, giving us the opportunity to develop the technologies of the future, changing lives here in Britain and saving lives on the battlefield in Ukraine.
“By combining Ukrainian battlefield data with British expertise, we will accelerate the development of capabilities that not only strengthen our national security but better protect our critical infrastructure and growth in every postcode here at home.”
Several pilot projects have already been launched with three British technology companies: Bristol-based Sintela, Oxford-based Mind Foundry and London-based Skyral.
One project is due to be deployed at a UK defence site. It will use buried fibre-optic cables as an AI-enabled sensor to detect protesters and hostile actors attempting to gather intelligence.
The technology combines Ukrainian data with British systems. The government said it could eventually be used to protect airports, prisons, railways and energy infrastructure.
A second project will explore next-generation low-power AI chips for drones, robotics and autonomous systems.
The technology is intended to allow autonomous systems to operate for longer and respond more quickly. It could also support operations in environments where conventional systems struggle.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Ukraine is pushing the frontier of defence innovation as they bravely resist Putin’s illegal invasion. From supporting with military equipment and training to co-developing cutting-edge technology, the UK will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
“By combining the UK’s world-leading scientists, engineers and tech companies with Ukraine’s unique battlefield experience and data, we will strengthen both of our nations’ defence and security.”
The agreement forms part of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.
It follows a separate decision by the British government to allow defence company MBDA to release classified information on UK components used in the French SCALP long-range cruise missile.
The information will support plans to establish local assembly lines for the missile in Ukraine. SCALP is the French equivalent of the UK’s Storm Shadow cruise missile.
Minister for AI Kanishka Narayan said: “Britain and Ukraine are the closest of partners. Ukraine’s extraordinary courage on the battlefield has been matched by remarkable technological ingenuity.
“By giving British start-ups, researchers and engineers access to insights from its Avengers AI platform, we are taking that partnership further and helping Britain develop the next generation of defence technology.
“This is AI sovereignty in practice: building our own capabilities and turning frontline experience into systems that protect our armed forces overseas and our critical infrastructure at home.”
