30,000 new drones for Ukraine in boost to European security
It comes as a further 拢190m for the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine was announced following further pledges from allies
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30,000 drones will be sent to Ukraine after 拢45 million worth of contracts were placed by the international Drone Capability Coalition, co-led by the UK and Latvia as the UK steps up leadership supporting Ukraine in 2025.
Defence Secretary John Healey announced this milestone alongside Latvian Defence Minister Andris Spr奴ds at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group held at Ramstein Air Base today [Thursday 9 January].
Healey arrived last night for talks with the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the US Air Base.
The Drone Capability Coalition supports Ukraine with uncrewed surveillance and attack capabilities. Funding for the new 30,000 drones comes from UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Latvia and Sweden.聽
These state-of-the-art, first-person view drones will help Ukraine fight against Russian aggression, allowing Ukraine鈥檚 Armed Forces to manoeuvre past Russian air defences to target enemy positions and armoured vehicles.
Today鈥檚 announcement follows the UK鈥檚 拢7.5 million investment for the Drone Capability Coalition鈥檚 Common Fund, set out in November, and brings the UK鈥檚 total investment in the fund to 拢15 million to date. So far, the fund has raised around 拢73 million from the UK and partners.
As well as this, the Defence Secretary confirmed that the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine now stands at over 拢1.3 billion, of which the UK has contributed 拢500 million.
He also outlined the Ministry of Defence鈥檚 plan for Ukraine鈥檚 Defence in 2025 to more than 50 allies and partners gathered for the meeting. John Healey discussed the plan with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov in Kyiv in December.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
The fierce courage of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire the world, and this meeting of more than 50 nations sends a clear message to Putin about the international community鈥檚 unwavering support for Ukraine.
I am proud of the UK鈥檚聽leadership in supporting Ukraine. From heading coalitions which are delivering essential equipment alongside allies, to training recruits, we鈥檙e standing strong with Ukraine against Putin鈥檚 aggression.聽
Our commitment to provide 拢3 billion a year of military aid聽for as long as it takes will ensure Ukraine can defend themselves and is essential to protect the security of the UK 鈥� because the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine.
In a further sign of the strength of international support for Ukraine鈥檚 efforts to repel Russia鈥檚 illegal invasion, more than 拢190 million of extra funding has been committed to the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine by allies and partners, with Portugal and Germany contributing for the first time.
The fund uses financial contributions from international partners to rapidly procure priority military equipment for Ukraine. The new contributions include:
- 拢67 million from Denmark for capabilities including drones, air defence systems and training equipment
- 拢59 million from Norway for specialist capabilities including drones and maritime training
- 拢43 million (鈧�52 million) from Portugal for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones
- 拢20 million from Sweden to fund the repair of Archer self-propelled artillery systems and maritime training
- 拢4 million from Germany for maritime training
- 拢1 million from Iceland to fund coastal radars聽
Since taking office in July, the government has stepped up international leadership supporting Ukraine and demonstrated its ironclad support, committing to 拢3 billion of military support to Ukraine every year for as long as it takes. In October, an extra 拢2.26 billion was announced, using the profits from seized Russian assets.
The meeting of allies and partners at Ramstein follows the Defence Secretary鈥檚 visit to Kyiv last month, where he met with his counterpart Rustem Umerov, to discuss the priority areas for UK defence support and announced a new 拢225 million package, including 拢186m from the International Fund for Ukraine, of military support.
The government is clear that the UK鈥檚 defence starts in Ukraine, and that providing military support is essential to promote both the UK鈥檚 national security and stability in Europe.
As part of the Plan for Ukraine鈥檚 Defence in 2025, the UK鈥檚 continued leadership on the war in Ukraine throughout 2025 will see an increase to Ukraine鈥檚 military capability; will build on the success of Operation Interflex by enhancing the training offered to Ukraine; will strengthen defence industrial cooperation; will increase cooperation with our allies to support Ukraine; and will increase pressure on Russia.