Britain gets access to Ukraine’s secret battlefield AI ‘goldmine’ in major new defence deal
Britain is to become the first international partner given access to a vast Ukrainian database built from millions of pieces of real-world battlefield data, under a new AI defence partnership signed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.
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The agreement will give British researchers and technology companies access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Labs, which uses data gathered by thousands of daylight cameras and infrared sensors operating across the battlefield to help train artificial intelligence models.
Those sensors have captured millions of objects during the war, including Russian tanks, artillery, air defence systems, troops, Shahed attack drones and reconnaissance UAVs, creating what the Government has described as a “goldmine” of operational data which British engineers will now be able to use to develop and test new technology.
The deal was signed by Mr Burnham and the Ukrainian President during the Prime Minister’s first overseas trip since entering Downing Street and forms part of the UK and Ukraine’s 100 Year Partnership.
It will initially focus on defence and national security, bringing together engineers, academics, businesses and military expertise from both countries in an AI cell tasked with finding solutions to problems being encountered both on the battlefield and in protecting Britain’s critical infrastructure.
In return for access to Ukraine’s battlefield experience and data, Britain will make expertise from its universities, researchers and technology companies available to Kyiv, with the Government hoping the partnership can dramatically shorten the time between identifying a problem and developing technology capable of dealing with it.
Several pilot projects involving British companies are already under way, including technology which effectively transforms buried fibre-optic cables into huge AI-enabled sensors capable of detecting activity around sensitive sites.
The system, involving Bristol-based Sintela, is due to be deployed at a UK defence site and will be used to help protect the base from protesters and potentially hostile actors attempting to gather intelligence.
If successful, similar technology could eventually be used around airports, prisons, railway lines and energy infrastructure.
A second project will examine the development of next-generation low-power AI chips capable of being used in drones, robots and other autonomous systems, potentially allowing them to operate for longer and respond more quickly while using less power.
Oxford-based Mind Foundry and London-based Skyral are also involved in the initial programme.
Mr Burnham said: “Ukraine has become one of the world's leading innovators in defence technology, forged through courage, ingenuity and the hard lessons of war.
“This groundbreaking partnership will bring together Ukraine's unrivalled operational experience with Britain's world-class AI ecosystem, giving us the opportunity to develop the technologies of the future, changing lives here in Britain and saving lives on the battlefield in Ukraine.
“By combining Ukrainian battlefield data with British expertise, we will accelerate the development of capabilities that not only strengthen our national security but better protect our critical infrastructure and growth in every postcode here at home.”
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said Ukraine was “pushing the frontier of defence innovation” during its fight against Russia and said Britain would continue to support Kyiv with both military equipment and the development of new technology.
“By combining the UK's world-leading scientists, engineers and tech companies with Ukraine's unique battlefield experience and data, we will strengthen both of our nations’ defence and security,” he said.
The agreement marks the latest deepening of British military and technological support for Ukraine during Mr Burnham’s visit to Kyiv, which has already provoked an angry response from Moscow.
The Prime Minister announced earlier on Monday that the Government had agreed to allow defence company MBDA to release classified information about British-made components used in SCALP long-range cruise missiles, allowing Ukraine and France to work towards establishing assembly lines for the weapon inside Ukraine.
SCALP is the French-produced version of Britain’s Storm Shadow missile, with the two weapons sharing British and French technology and giving Ukraine the ability to strike military targets far beyond the immediate front line.
The Kremlin accused Britain of “taking part in the war on Ukraine’s side” following the announcement and said the decision to release the classified information would “add fuel to the fire”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow regarded the move “extremely negatively” and accused Britain of doing everything it could to prevent progress towards a future peace agreement.
Mr Burnham, however, used his first foreign visit as Prime Minister to make clear there would be no weakening of British support for Kyiv under his Government.
He travelled to the Ukrainian capital as the country marked the 35th anniversary of its independence from the Soviet Union, laying flowers at the graves of Ukrainian soldiers at the National Military Cemetery and meeting international leaders before talks with Mr Zelenskyy.
The Prime Minister is also chairing his first meeting of the UK and French-led “coalition of the willing”, established under his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer to coordinate international support for Ukraine.
Ahead of the trip, Mr Burnham said: “Russia should be in no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down until there is a just and lasting peace.”