UK Research & Innovation

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is a government research funding body that supports innovation across sectors, including defense through partnerships like Innovate UK Business Connect for security and defense funding opportunities. In the drone sector, UKRI contributes to the UK's Defence Drone Strategy by fostering R&D breakthroughs for uncrewed systems, aiding rapid prototyping and frontline deployment via collaborations with the Ministry of Defence and industry. It plays a key role in driving sovereign capabilities in drones and counter-drone tech, though specific products are developed by funded SMEs and institutions rather than directly by UKRI.