Two new secret naval drones developed by the UK are to be sent to bolster the Ukrainian armed forces.
The drones, of which limited information on their capability has been released, have been “rapidly developed specifically” to support Ukrainian forces fighting off Russia’s invasion.
Experts believe the weapons could play an important role against Moscow’s Black Sea Fleet, which has been battered by naval drones.
Retired British Army colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon told the Express: “The UK must do all we can to ensure Ukraine prevails against Russia, and hitherto maritime drones have been very successful at defeating the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
“One assumes that these ‘secret’ drones are exceptionally capable and probably very long range, allowing Ukraine to attack deep into Russia.”
The weapons, known as Snapper and Wasp, are “undergoing final testing”, according to Defence Minister Maria Eagle.
No other information has been released but further details are expected to be set out in “due course”.
The UK has been told to learn from the Ukraine conflict, and the rapid development of the systems will likely be seen as a positive.
Both the former and current governments expressed the need to be able to procure kits with greater speed and agility.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge, who was previously defence procurement minister, welcomed the news and told the Express: “Given our position as a leading nation supporting Ukraine… we are incredibly well placed to learn the lessons of what’s happening in the modern battlespace that is Ukraine.”
Retired Royal Navy commander Steve Prest, an expert in capability and acquisition, said that, as seen in Ukraine, such weapons can give navies greater control of waters.
He said: “They can be developed and delivered quickly, if the money and the will are there, but they are highly attritable and you need to use plenty of them so that a few get through to their target.
“Like with munitions, you, therefore, need adequate stockpiles and a steady stream of production.”
While details on Snapper and Wasp remain minimal, the announcement does follow news that the UK is giving Ukraine another new system called Gravehawk.
The British-designed air defence system has also been rapidly developed as part of a UK-Denmark-funded project.
Gravehawk, which is the size of a shipping container, can retrofit air-air missiles for ground-based air defence, meaning it can use missiles that the Ukrainians already possess.
Two prototypes were tested in Ukraine in September, with a further 15 to follow this year.
