Britain announces large-scale military support for Ukraine
Photo: British minister for defence procurement Luke Pollard (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with £13 billion in military aid. London promises to continue standing with Ukraine, supporting it in its fight against Russia, British Minister for Defense Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard made the statement following a meeting of defense leaders from the E5 format countries (Poland, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Italy).
According to him, London will continue supporting Ukraine together with NATO partners and the E5 countries. The United Kingdom will also keep sharing technologies and combat experience gained during the war.
Pollard said that the United Kingdom had committed over £13 billion in military support for Ukraine and that it would continue to share technologies and experience gained on the battlefield.
In particular, the UK has already begun mass production of Octopus interceptors, designed to counter Iranian-Russian drones attacking Ukrainian infrastructure.
Pollard added that this cooperation demonstrates the launch of the LEAP initiative, which envisions the creation of joint autonomous drones as a cheaper alternative to expensive air defense systems.
At the same time, new projects will rely on technological solutions tested in the conditions of the war in Ukraine, with practical steps — not declarations — aimed at deterring Russian aggression.
He also emphasized that support for Ukraine remains unwavering ahead of the next anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. In his view, Moscow has failed to achieve its goals, while the Alliance has grown stronger and more united.
He added that the support for Ukraine is steadfast, that the somber anniversary would be marked next week as the full-scale invasion of Ukraine entered its fifth year, and that Putin had thought he would win the war in three days, but he was wrong. He said that now Putin faces a stronger, more united, and larger NATO, and that Ukraine continued to fight with tremendous courage.
Other military aid from the United Kingdom
Following the latest Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, the United Kingdom is allocating £500 million for air defense and contributing £150 million to the PURL initiative. In total, it is providing £3 billion in military aid to Ukraine in 2026.
On February 12, it was announced that the UK would soon deliver a large package to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense, including around a thousand missiles. These will enhance the capabilities of Ukraine’s air defense systems.
In addition, earlier, the UK’s defense minister stated during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting that the United Kingdom would fund the production of a thousand long-range drones for Ukraine over the course of the year.
