The Octopus drone, developed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, is equipped with an advanced AI-powered control system. It is designed to counter Shahed-type unmanned aerial vehicles, and its effectiveness has been proven in combat. Close interaction between manufacturers and the military enables ongoing technology refinement and the development of a highly effective R&D ecosystem. Production of the drone is being rolled out in Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Technology transfer enabling the production of the Octopus drone at UK facilities became possible following intellectual property reforms at the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
Specifically, in May 2025, a dedicated Intellectual Property Department was established within the Ministry of Defence. Experts from the Department ensured compliance with legal requirements during the conclusion of the licensing agreement with the UK Government. Their work included:
- securing legal protection of the technology in Ukraine
- filing an application for the registration of the invention under international procedures
- providing legal support for the licensing agreement with the UK Ministry of Defence.
In November 2025, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence signed the licensing agreement for the Octopus interceptor drone, enabling its production in the United Kingdom. Output may reach several thousand units per month. The manufactured equipment will be delivered to Ukraine to strengthen its air defence.
This marks the first instance in which the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has concluded an agreement of this kind concerning state-owned technologies. This precedent opens up new opportunities for Ukraine to pursue bilateral defence technology exchange with partner countries.