MP calls for transparency over drone factory

A Ukrspecsystems drone with a shark face and design on its nose propped up on a black metal stand. In the background there is a white banner which reads Ukrspecsystems, and a Ukraine flag draped next to it.

Image source, Shaun Whitmore/BBCImage caption,

Ukrspecsystems is working towards producing as many as 1,000 drones for Ukrainian soldiers every month

ByVikki IrwinSuffolk political reporter

Published27 August 2026, 06:20 BST

Updated 30 minutes ago

An MP has called on the government to be "as transparent as they can be" about protection for drone factories in the UK.

It comes after Russian former deputy foreign minister Andrei Fedorov told BBC Newsnight there might be a "semi-military" response against UK drone factories by "unknown sources" after the UK government shared blueprints for cruise missile components with Ukraine.

West Suffolk Conservative MP Nick Timothy represents Mildenhall which is home to a new Ukrainian-owned factory, which can make 1,000 drones a month.

The Ministry for Defence (MoD) said it would not comment on specific security procedures.

A portrait image on a grey background of Nick Timothy wearing a blue suit, white shirt and tie.

Image source, UK ParliamentImage caption,

MP for West Suffolk Nick Timothy says we must "prepare" for hybrid warfare

Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Ukraine on Monday, where he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

The British government agreed to hand over blueprints for UK-made components for the Scalp missile, which is a French version of the UK's Storm Shadow cruise missile - allowing Ukraine to produce the long-range weapon domestically.

A Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, criticised the UK's decision to share the missile blueprints on Monday. Peskov said: "Britain is involved in this war on the side of the Kyiv regime. Britain methodically and regularly adds fuel to the fire," he added.

In response, Burnham said: "Who started the fire? That's the question, isn't it?"

The drone factory in Mildenhall was opened in February and is run by Ukrspecsystems, a Ukrainian firm.

At the time, it said it had repurposed a building in order to produce the unmanned aircraft as part of a £200m investment.

Timothy said: "It is not news that Russia targets British infrastructure, including military and industrial sites.

"MI5 has warned for years that so-called hybrid warfare methods are a threat to us and we must be prepared for them. "

Russell Leaman is standing above a military airfield with eight red aeroplanes on the ground. He is wearing a suit and his mayoral chain.

Image source, ContributedImage caption,

Russell Leaman is Mayor of Mildenhall and says the town council has not been contacted by the government over any threat

Local politicians are also seeking reassurances.

Mildenhall Town Council's Mayor Russell Leaman said: "When a state like Russia says it may take retaliatory action and we have a large drone factory in Mildenhall, it's of concern.

"Day-to-day, I don't think it will affect too many people, but obviously there are some people that are anxious and worry. It would be nice to have some reassurance."

Asked if the town council had been contacted by the authorities to offer any reassurance, Leaman said it had not.

The drone factory is in the West Suffolk Council ward represented by Andy Neal from the West Suffolk Independent group. He questioned whether it had been naive for the location to be made public.

When the factory opened, the MoD said up to 500 jobs, external would be created. Neal said it would be a "massive" threat to the people working there and their families.

He also believed its proximity to RAF Mildenhall, home to the US Air Force (USAF) refuelling wing, would mean there would not be an aerial attack on the factory, but instead there could be some kind of "sabotage".

A USAF spokesperson said: "US Air Forces in Europe remain vigilant and ready to defend against any potential threats. We are committed to the safety of our airmen, families, mission partners and surrounding communities.

"We continue to work closely with our local law enforcement partners to ensure security measures are maintained."

The MoD said it would not comment on specific security procedures as this could benefit potential adversaries, but it said the security of defence assets was a top priority for the Labour government.

It added: "The first duty of government is national security. We take the security of our people, sites and local communities extremely seriously, and we continually review and strengthen our security arrangements.

"The public should be reassured that the UK and its allies remain vigilant against potential threats. We will not comment on specific security measures, but Russia should be in no doubt about the resolve of this government to stand against Russian aggression, in Ukraine and against the UK and our allies."

Ukrspecsystems has also been contacted for comment.

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