Ukraine has proved a productive testing ground for drones, which are used for surveillance and as a cheap, accurate means of delivering attacks on tanks, buildings and personnel.

Before Russia’s invasion, the focus of most weapons makers was to outperform enemy hardware, building equipment that was increasingly fast, stealthy or deadly.

Military drones however, can cost as little as $10,000 apiece, while adapted civilian models can come in under $1,000

Development of domestic jet-powered drones in the UK is also gaining pace. BAE Systems began developing a jet-powered stealth drone called Taranis about a decade ago.

QinetiQ, the defence technology firm spun out of the Ministry of Defence nearly two decades ago, is developing a disposable drone with top British arms contractor BAE Systems called Jackdaw.

Based on the design of the Banshee target, which looks like a mini warplane and is made to be shot out of the sky during missile tests, the jet-powered Jackdaw will help lure rockets away from nearby jets, snoop on targets and jam radio transmissions. This can all be achieved more cheaply than a manned plane.