The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 6 March 2025 that it has struck a deal with the UK arm of US defence technology company Anduril to supply Ukraine with nearly GBP 30 million (EUR 35.8 million) worth of Anduril’s Altius-600M and Altius-700M loitering munitions (LMs).
Procurement of the LMs will be backed by the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine, which now stands at more than GBP 1.3 billion worth of pledges from 10 other countries, of which the UK has contributed GBP 500 million.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey visited Anduril in Washington, DC, on 5 March ahead of a 6 March meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon. Founded in California, Anduril “continues to invest significantly in the UK with a large footprint across the country and plans to rapidly scale, in line with the government’s commitment to keeping the nation safe while providing highly skilled jobs”, the MoD stated in a press release.
Healey was quoted by the MoD as saying, “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 GBP 2.26 billion loan from seized Russian assets, plus GBP 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.”
Ukraine’s armed forces will take delivery of the Anduril LMs, launchers and spare parts over the coming months.
“Anduril UK is proud to partner with the UK government, working hand in glove to deliver vital capabilities for the UK and its allies,” Dr Rich Drake, managing director of Anduril UK and Europe, was quoted as saying by the MoD. “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. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Ministry of Defence to protect our nation and our allies.”
The Altius-600 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on which the Altius-600M LM variant is based is reported to have has a maximum range of 444 km and an endurance of at least four hours. The UAV has a weight of up to 27 lb (12.2 kg), depending on its payload, with the LM variant believed to carry a warhead weighing between 3 and 7 lb (1.4-3.2 kg).
The larger Altius-700 UAV has a weight of up to 65 lb (29.5 kg) and an endurance that exceeds two hours, with Anduril stating on its website that the Altius-700M LM variant is capable of carrying warheads as heavy as 33 lb (15 kg).
Beyond this latest order for Anduril LMs, in January it was announced that 30,000 drones/LMs will be sent to Ukraine by the international Drone Capability Coalition, co-led by the UK and Latvia.
Since July 2024 the UK government has provided over GBP 5.26 billion in military aid and financial support to Ukraine, including GBP 3 billion in annual military aid and a GBP 2.26 billion loan for military spending.
