Latest news with #Altius600m
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Anduril is considering a UK factory as Europe beefs up military power
Anduril said it is considering plans to open a factory in the UK. The plans come as the EU looks to increase defense spending after the US paused aid to Ukraine. The UK government recently awarded Anduril a £30 million contract to supply drones to Ukraine. Autonomous drone maker Anduril says it will consider manufacturing in the UK as Europe looks to bolster its military power. "If we get enough orders, absolutely we are planning to open a facility in the UK," Rich Drake, the company's UK and Europe manager, told Bloomberg. The European Union earlier this month said it sought to boost defense spending during what it called a new "era of rearmament." The announcement followed President Donald Trump's order to pause US military aid to Ukraine after a contentious televised meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Anduril Industries, cofounded in 2017 by Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, is one of the defense industry's leaders in autonomous drone manufacturing. Over the past few years, Anduril has won hundreds of millions in defense contracts from the US government, including a $642 million deal this month to create anti-drone tech for Marine Corps bases. London-based logistics company Sifted first reported on March 18 that Anduril was considering building a factory, as well as a research and development center, near Oxford and Cambridge, which the UK government has said it wants to be the country's next "Silicon Valley." On March 6, the UK government awarded Anduril £30 million to supply its Altius 600m and Altius 700m drones to Ukraine. The drones, which are known as "loitering munitions," are designed to monitor an area before striking targets that enter it, the UK Ministry of Defence said in a press release. The ministry said Anduril continues to "invest significantly" in the UK, has a "large footprint across the country," and plans to scale rapidly. "Our focus on developing and deploying technology where and when it's needed is at the core of everything we do — from the rapid delivery of Altius to Ukraine to the expansion of our presence here in the UK," Drake said in the release. "We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Ministry of Defence to protect our nation and our allies." Anduril did not immediately return a request from Business Insider for comment. Read the original article on Business Insider
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Russia warns Starmer's peacekeeping troops plan would amount to ‘direct war'
Russia has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer's plan for British troops to form part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it would amount to direct involvement in the war. The prime minister, along with Emmanuel Macron, has been seeking to build a 'coalition of the willing' to enforce any potential deal. But Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said troops on its border would amount to the "direct, official and unveiled involvement of Nato members in the war against Russia,' adding: 'It can't be allowed.' Britain has signed a deal with an Anglo-American security firm to provide Ukraine with more advanced attack drones – in contrast to Donald Trump's White House which has paused supplies of US military aid and intelligence-sharing. 'The fighting is going on and it's a big mistake to think that well all we've got to do is wait for a deal now,' the prime minister said. 'We've got to make sure that if they are fighting on they're in the strongest position and even if they go into negotiation that they're in the strongest position.' It came as defence secretary John Healey was due to hold talks last night with US counterpart Pete Hegseth. Britain's agreement with Anduril will see cutting-edge Altius 600m and Altius 700m systems - designed to monitor an area before striking targets that enter it - being supplied to Kyiv to help tackle Russian aggression in the Black Sea. The new contracts total nearly £30 million and are backed by the International Fund for Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence said. It comes amid concerns that the US move to halt intelligence-sharing with Ukraine will affect the country's ability to use western weaponry and deprive it of advanced information about incoming threats. In Brussels, European Union leaders met Mr Zelensky for talks about support for Ukraine and increased defence spending. The Ukrainian president thanked European leaders for their support, saying: 'We are very thankful that we are not alone. These are not just words, we feel it.' European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has put forward proposals for a £670 billion defence package for the European Union as it grapples with the prospect of Mr Trump reducing security assistance for Europe. She said it was a 'watershed moment,' adding: 'Europe faces a clear and present danger and therefore Europe has to be able to protect itself, to defend itself as we have to put Ukraine in a position to protect itself and to push for a lasting and just peace.' Moscow said French president Macron's offer of peacekeeping troops was 'extremely confrontational'. "Unlike their predecessors, who also wanted to fight against Russia, Napoleon, Hitler … Mr Macron does not act very gracefully, because at least they said it bluntly: 'we must conquer Russia, we must defeat Russia'.' Former president Dmitry Medvedev mocked him on social media, calling him 'Micron' and saying 'poses no big threat.' 'He'll disappear forever no later than May 14, 2027. And he won't be missed,' Medvedev wrote. Trump aide Steve Witkoff said peace talks on the framework of a peace agreement are planned next week in Saudi Arabia. And Trump's special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, said the suspension of military help to Zelensky is already having an impact. adding that the Ukrainians 'brought it on themselves.' 'The best way I can describe it is sort of like hitting a mule with a two-by-four across the nose,' Kellogg said at an event at the Council on Foreign Relations. 'You got their attention.'
Telegraph
06-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
UK to supply new US-made attack drones to Ukraine
Britain will supply new US-made attack drones to Ukraine, the Defence Secretary has said. John Healey announced that the UK would equip Ukraine with 'suicide drones' to take on Russia in the Black Sea after visiting Anduril, the Anglo-American firm making the devices in Washington DC. Mr Healey is in the US for a bilateral meeting with Pete Hegseth, his counterpart, at the Pentagon on Thursday afternoon. The new £30 million contract for loitering munitions – warhead-carrying unmanned aerial weapons that monitor an area before striking in a 'suicide' attack – includes Altius 600m and Altius 700m drones. It comes after Donald Trump stopped the US from sharing intelligence with Ukraine, having already suspended military aid to the war-torn country. His decision means that striking targets in Russia, briefing Ukrainian soldiers on the ground, and warning civilians of missile attacks will be even harder for Ukraine. However, defence sources suggested the drones contract showed the US was still helping Ukraine, despite stopping direct military aid, as it was selling American drones to the UK to be used in Ukraine. After a gathering of world leaders in London last week, the Prime Minister and allies agreed that military support must continue if Ukraine is to be put in the strongest possible position for peace. Securing a lasting peace in Ukraine and strengthening bonds between Nato allies will be top of the agenda when Mr Healey meets Mr Hegseth. Mr Healey, who visited Anduril on Wednesday, said: 'We are determined to achieve a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine, which means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to prevent any return to Russian aggression. 'The UK has already provided more than 10,000 drones to Ukraine's armed forces, which have proved vital in disrupting Russian troop advances and targeting positions behind the front line. 'With a £2.26 billion loan from seized Russian assets, plus £1.6 billion-worth of air defence missiles announced for Ukraine in the last week, the UK is continuing to show leadership in securing a lasting peace for Ukraine.' Last month, The Telegraph revealed that Britain's military chiefs had used a meeting with Sir Keir Starmer to pitch for a 'national arsenal' of hi-tech weapons to fight Russia in any potential future conflict. They believe Britain should rely more on smaller-scale and uncrewed systems such as loitering drones, which are more cost-effective than fighter jets or cruise missiles. Also last month, the Government pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by April 2027. Even though it will be the biggest sustained uplift since the Cold War, defence chiefs were critical of the rise. A senior Whitehall source told The Telegraph it wouldn't 'touch the sides' of what was actually needed. The contract with Anduril UK was negotiated by Defence Equipment & Support – the procurement arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) – on behalf of the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine. The fund now stands at more than £1.3 billion-worth of pledges from 10 other countries, to which the UK has contributed £500 million. Ukraine's armed forces will take delivery of the drones, launchers and spare parts over the coming months. Rich Drake, managing director of Anduril UK and Europe, said: 'Anduril UK is proud to partner with the UK Government, working hand-in-glove to deliver vital capabilities for the UK and its Allies. 'Our focus on developing and deploying technology where and when it's needed is at the core of everything we do. 'We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the MoD to protect our nation and our allies.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK signs deal to supply advanced strike drones to Ukraine
The United Kingdom has announced a deal with the Anglo-American defence technology company Anduril UK which will allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to obtain more advanced strike drones to counter Russian aggression in the Black Sea. Source: a statement by the UK government, as reported by European Pravda Details: The deal was agreed ahead of a meeting between UK Defence Secretary John Healey and his American counterpart Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon. The new contracts, valued at nearly £30 million, involve the supply of Anduril's latest drones, the Altius 600m and Altius 700m, which are designed for surveillance of the terrain prior to launching strikes on targets. Quote from Healey: "We are determined to achieve a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine, which means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to prevent any return to Russian aggression." Details: The work with Anduril UK has been led by Defence Equipment & Support – the procurement arm of the Ministry of Defence – on behalf of the UK-managed International Fund for Ukraine (IFU). The Ukrainian Armed Forces are expected to receive the drones, launchers and spare parts in the coming months. Background: It was reported that the Latvian government has allocated €10 million for the production of Ukrainian drones. Norway has also announced that it is joining the drone coalition. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
The Independent
06-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
UK signs deal with Anglo-American firm to supply more attack drones to Kyiv
The UK has signed a deal with an Anglo-American security firm to provide Ukraine with more advanced attack drones before a meeting between US and British defence secretaries on a possible peace plan. The agreement with Anduril will see cutting-edge Altius 600m and Altius 700m systems – designed to monitor an area before striking targets that enter it – being supplied to Kyiv to help tackle Russian aggression in the Black Sea. The new contracts total nearly £30 million and are backed by the International Fund for Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence said. The announcement comes amid concerns that the US move to halt intelligence-sharing with Ukraine will affect the country's ability to use western weaponry and deprive it of advanced information about incoming threats. Defence Secretary John Healey visited Anduril's Washington facility on Wednesday before talks with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth, with whom he is expected to discuss the decision. He said: 'We are determined to achieve a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine, which means putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position to prevent any return to Russian aggression. 'The UK has already provided more than 10,000 drones to Ukraine's Armed Forces, which have proved vital in disrupting Russian troop advances and targeting positions behind the frontline. 'With a £2.26 billion loan from seized Russian assets, plus £1.6 billion worth of air defence missiles announced for Ukraine in the last week, the UK is continuing to show leadership in securing a lasting peace for Ukraine.'
