The UK has signed a deal with Ukraine to develop new military capabilities and improve the technology of the future. The agreement was signed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Andy Burnham in Ukraine on Monday, August 24, during Mr Burnham's first visit to the country as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
The deal will enable the UK to access Ukraine's 'Avengers AI Labs' database, which provides real-world data and insights to train AI models, collected by thousands of daylight cameras and infrared sensors across the battlefield in Ukraine.
Ground-breaking partnership
Mr 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 ground-breaking 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."
Defence and security focus
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 technology includes sensors and cameras which capture millions of objects, such as tanks, artillery, air defence systems, infantry, and aerial targets, including Shahed drones and reconnaissance UAVs, feeding back data to the Avengers Lab to train new AI models. The deal is set to focus on defence and national security, but will also see the UK and Ukraine explore further platforms to collaborate on.
Russian warnings
The deal comes as Russia warned that Britain is "participating in this war" and threatened to "take measures" to locate and destroy areas where weapons or other military equipment is being produced.
Mr Burnham visited Ukraine on August 24 in his first overseas trip as Prime Minister. Ahead of the visit, he announced that the UK would provide Kyiv with blueprints for British components used in the French-produced Scalp missile as Paris looks at setting up assembly lines for the weapon in Ukraine. Britain will also supply more long-range missiles and drones to Ukraine, after British drones were used to strike Russia earlier this month - a move which led Moscow to warn of 'consequences' for the UK.
Speaking about the Scalp missile plans, Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it would add "fuel to the fire" and undermine any chance of peace. "Britain is participating in this war. It is participating in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime", Peskov said. "Britain methodically and regularly pours fuel on the fire and methodically and regularly plots to prevent any progress in the peace process. This is precisely what Britain is doing."
"Our armed forces are conducting the relevant work, obtaining the relevant information in order to identify the production sites of such missiles, the production sites of other military equipment, and are taking measures to destroy these sites."
