UK’s new ‘StormShroud’ drones come into operation

A cutting-edge new British drone will come into operation on Friday as Sir Keir Starmer vowed that the Government would “stand up to Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security”.

The StormShroud air systems will be fitted with a high-tech signal jammer to disrupt enemy radar at long range and fly alongside RAF crews on frontline missions.

Number 10 said the development took advantage of “learnings from countering (Vladimir) Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine”.

Tekever, the company which manufactures the drones, announced a further £400 million investment in the UK in a move the Government said would support hundreds of new jobs.

The RAF is putting an initial £19 million into StormShroud, which makes use of BriteStorm, an electronic warfare technology made by Leonardo UK.

The Prime Minister visited a Leonardo UK site in Luton on Friday as he sought to focus on business as usual following the Runcorn and Helsby by-election and local polls in England.

Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party also made inroads against both Labour and the Conservatives across England in local elections, winning the parliamentary contest by just six votes and gaining its first mayor in Greater Lincolnshire.

Elsewhere, Labour held on to mayoralties in both Doncaster and North Tyneside, with Reform coming a close second in both contests.

The Prime Minister thanked staff at the defence contractor during the visit on Friday, saying their work was “really inspiring”.

“Investment in our defence is an investment in this country’s future,” he said.

“Putting money behind our armed forces and defence industry is safeguarding our economic and national security by putting money back in the pockets of hard-working British people and protecting them for generations to come.

“Together with our allies, this Government is taking the bold action needed to stand up to Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security, which is vital for us to deliver our Plan for Change and improve lives of working people up and down the country.”

Asked by reporters during the visit about Labour’s by-election defeat, he conceded the result was “disappointing” but insisted the Government was determined to go “further and faster” in delivering change.

Defence Secretary John Healey said the drones “apply the lessons from Ukraine” to give military personnel the capability to “stay ahead of our adversaries”.

“This is a landmark development for UK defence,” he said.

“We’re delivering on our commitment to ensure the UK is a leader in defence innovation.”