UK shares Stone Cloak drone technology with Ukraine under new defence partnership

Yesterday, the new British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed their countries’ relationship and the UK’s “unwavering” support for Ukraine during the current war and beyond.

Zelenskyy became the first international leader Burnham welcomed to the UK since taking office. Burnham toured the Ukrainian leader on the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier while reassuring him of the “unbreakable” bond between the countries.

Разом із Прем’єр-міністром Великої Британії Енді Бернемом поспілкувалися у Портсмуті з українськими та британськими моряками. Вони саме пройшли спільні багатонаціональні навчання Sea Breeze. Дуже важливо, що наші підрозділи показали хороший рівень підготовки у морському… pic.twitter.com/Y2W7GMtm7I

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 27, 2026

The leaders also discussed the British-led effort to train Ukraine’s armed forces and the difference the programme makes on the front line.

British aid to Ukraine is allowing it to build a large combat-tested drone base from which to modernize its own forces.

UK to share Stone Cloak tech for Ukraine’s drones

The UK announced the sharing of intellectual property for a new British capability dubbed Stone Cloak. It includes electronic jammers the size of a tablet computer that are fitted to drones. Stone Cloak is designed to hinder Russian air defence systems from tracking and targeting the drones.

Thousands of these electronic jammers have already been donated to Ukraine and are aiding in its defense and counterstrikes into Russian territory. The UK has not disclosed the contractor, although BAE is the lead British contractor for EW suites.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said, “Stone Cloak is the best of homegrown British innovation and proven on the frontline, and it will be vital to protecting our security in both our countries.”

The government pointed out that the new device illustrates the rapid innovation taking place between the UK and Ukraine under the 100 Year Partnership.

It states, “Following the roll out in Ukraine, it is expected Stone Cloak will be built into the next generation of UK deep-strike capabilities, boosting national security and providing vital enhancements to UK capability, including Project Brakestop, the UK’s new low-cost cruise missile.”

It is unclear how these work. Defense Express suggests that it likely employs sophisticated electronic deception, creating false targets on radar displays and/or distorting the drone’s radar signatures. This would make it difficult for enemy air defense systems to establish a reliable track and guide interceptors.

Britain remains committed to providing aid to Ukraine

The UK is providing “£3 billion a year to Ukraine for as long as it takes.” Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Britain has provided a total of £25 billion in aid. This includes £16 billion in military assistance and £5.6 billion in non-military support.

Meanwhile, the UK Mission to the EU announced yesterday that the European Council formally adopted the UK’s participation in the Ukraine Support Loan.

The European Council formally adopted the UK’s participation in the Ukraine Support Loan.

Ukraine will now be able to use loan financing to procure crucial defence products made by UK-based industries, strengthening its ability to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war. pic.twitter.com/SpcmTp7rvy

— UK Mission to the EU 🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@UKMisBrussels) July 27, 2026

It explains, “Ukraine will now be able to use loan financing to procure crucial defence products made by UK-based industries, strengthening its ability to defend itself against Russia’s illegal war.”

Separately, Rotron Aerospace announced in June 2026 that it had successfully trialed its SkyLance One Way Effect system under the Project Brakestop, marking a step toward Britain’s next-generation long-range strike capability.