The UK has agreed a joint drone and air defence initiative with Germany, France, Italy and Poland.

• The programme will develop:

  • Low-cost missiles

  • Autonomous drones

• The first project will focus on a lightweight, affordable surface-to-air missile.

• Initial delivery is expected by next year.

• The agreement was announced at a defence ministers’ meeting in Krakow, Poland.

• The initiative follows failed UK negotiations to join the EU’s €150bn defence fund.

• The UK rejected a proposed multibillion-euro entry fee to join the EU scheme.

• Each country has pledged multimillion-pound/euro funding (exact total not confirmed).

• The programme draws inspiration from Ukraine’s use of low-cost drones in defence against Russia.

• The five-country group is known as the E5.

• The E5 was formed in autumn 2024 after Donald Trump’s re-election.

• The group has met seven times to strengthen defence co-operation outside EU structures.

• A UK defence review last summer called for expanded use of AI-enabled autonomous drones.

• The MoD is considering more flexible regulations for autonomous weapons systems.

• European countries are under pressure to increase defence spending due to the Ukraine war and uncertainty over US Nato commitments.