UK sends aid package to Ukraine to bolster air defense
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps (Getty Images)
The UK is sending a military package worth £150 million (over €217 million) to Ukraine to bolster its air and maritime defense, according to UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.
According to Shapps, this package will help protect Ukraine's damaged infrastructure.
The UK and its allies have provided air defense radars, decoy targets, and electronic warfare systems worth £70 million (€81 million).
Additionally, £80 million (€110 million) is allocated for small boats, reconnaissance drones, and unmanned surface vessels.
"The International Fund for Ukraine is providing vital support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine to meet their urgent capability requirements. It includes more air defence systems to protect Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, as well as maritime capabilities to bolster naval forces," he said.
The UK is the largest donor, having allocated £500 million. Denmark, Estonia, Finland, and Germany are also part of the alliance.
Air defense for Ukraine
In response to the increasing frequency of Russian missile and drone strikes in the spring of 2024, Ukraine urgently needs effective air defense systems. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that at least 25 Patriot systems are necessary to reliably protect Ukrainian skies from occupier attacks.
In a show of support, Germany took the initiative to source air defense systems for Ukraine and has already delivered one Patriot system.
However, Politico reported that Germany's initiative to provide air defense for Ukraine has fallen flat, as most countries did not follow Berlin's lead.
