Britain will provide £100 million towards the rapid delivery of additional air defence interceptors to Ukraine this winter, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has announced.
Speaking at his first Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting as Defence Secretary, Streeting said Kyiv had identified 300 Patriot missiles from partner stocks, 500 air-to-air interceptors with counter-cruise missile capability and $2 billion for drones among its immediate requirements.
He announced a £100 million British contribution through NATO’s mechanism for financing priority Ukrainian requirements, intended to support the rapid provision of additional air defence equipment before winter. Streeting also said military assistance would continue alongside diplomatic efforts towards an eventual settlement.
He said: “We know that this will only end through a negotiated peace. It’s really important that Russia understands that we won’t flinch in terms of our support for Ukraine as they continue to fight for their freedom and, for that matter, for ours.”
The Defence Secretary also provided an update on Britain’s existing commitment to provide 120,000 drones to Ukrainian forces during the year. More than 25,000 have so far been delivered, according to Streeting, with thousands more expected to arrive before winter. The systems cover several roles, including drones intended to intercept Russian unmanned aircraft, reconnaissance systems used to observe the battlefield and areas behind Russian lines, and attack drones.
Streeting said: “Those cover a whole range of capabilities that will help Ukraine to take the fight directly to Russia, defend itself by taking out Russian drones, and also to see what’s happening both on the battlefield and behind enemy lines.”
Britain is also continuing deliveries of large-calibre artillery ammunition. Streeting said the UK delivered its millionth round in July, with tens of thousands more expected to follow.
The additional ammunition is being provided with funding involving Britain, Germany, Denmark, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Streeting said continued support was intended to demonstrate to Moscow that the countries backing Kyiv would not withdraw their assistance while fighting and diplomatic activity continued in parallel.
He described the Government’s commitment to Ukraine as unshakable and said supporting Kyiv would remain a central priority in Britain’s work with allied defence ministers.
How about in support of the UK?