UK pledges £752 million aid with 150,000 drones to Ukraine

The United Kingdom has announced a major new military aid package for Ukraine valued at 752 million pounds, which includes 150,000 drones, more than 350 air defense missiles, and radar systems. British Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis announced the package on June 18 during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, which was held alongside a NATO Defense Ministers meeting.

The assistance is funded through the UK's 2.26 billion pound Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan to Ukraine, a mechanism backed by proceeds from immobilized Russian sovereign assets. Officials said the package includes Ukrainian-produced drones, Lightweight Multirole Missiles, and ground-based radar systems, with delivery of all equipment expected by the end of 2026. The Ministry of Defence stated the equipment is critical for defending Ukraine against Russian air attacks on civilian targets.

Defense Secretary Jarvis, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels, said the package will help protect innocent Ukrainian people from what he described as a barrage of Russian drones and missiles. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves affirmed the UK's steadfast support,...