Britain to open business center for defense companies in Kyiv

On Friday, the UK announced that it will open a new business center in Kyiv at the end of this year to help smaller British defense companies enter the Ukrainian market. The aim is to simplify their operations, including compliance with security and insurance requirements.

On the same day, a partner event will be held in Kyiv with more than 300 guests in attendance.

The opening of the center follows London's long-term support for Ukraine—in 2025, Britain provided the country with £4.5 billion in defense aid.

Defense Minister John Healey described the new facility as a significant step that "will create good jobs at home and deepen cooperation between the British and Ukrainian defense industries." He added that battlefield experience is key to further technology development.

An example of this cooperation is the development of Octopus combat drones – the Ukrainian design is set to go into production in Britain later this month.

The center will be set up in secure premises in the Ukrainian capital and will be funded by the UK government for three years.

(reuters, max)