London, 2 May 2025 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) – A cutting-edge new British drone is to come into operation on Friday as Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed that the government would "stand up to [Russian President Vladimir] 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 Royal Air Force (RAF) crews on front line missions.

Number 10 said the development took advantage of "learnings from countering Putin's illegal war in Ukraine."

Tekever, the company which manufactures the drones, announced a further £400 million ($531 million) investment in the United Kingdom 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.

Starmer visited a Leonardo UK site in Luton on Friday. The prime minister thanked staff at the defence contractor during the visit, 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," Starmer added.

"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," he said.

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," Healey added.

Photo: EPA