UK Pledges £752M Aid: 150,000 Drones, 350+ Air Defense Missiles for Ukraine
The UK announced a £752 million military aid package for Ukraine on June 18, including 150,000 drones and over 350 air defense missiles. Funded by frozen Russian assets, the aid aims to protect civilians and boost Ukraine's defense industry. The UK will also command the Multinational Force Ukraine headquarters.
The UK Ministry of Defence announced on June 18 a new £752 million military aid package for Ukraine, funded by revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets. This assistance includes 150,000 drones and over 350 air defense missiles and radar systems.
Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis stated the aid will protect Ukrainian civilians from Russian attacks and bolster Ukraine's resistance. The package, unveiled at the 35th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels, focuses on delivering 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones by the end of 2026, along with Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) and ground-based radar equipment.
This funding is part of the UK's £2.26 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan to Ukraine. The drone component supports Ukraine's domestic production, aligning with a trend among partners to invest in Ukraine's defense industry. The UK also announced it will command the Multinational Force Ukraine headquarters, with British Major General Tom Bateman taking over next month to coordinate international support.