During the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels, chaired by UK Defence Secretary John Healey, the UK announced a new £150m military aid package to support Ukrainian troops fighting Russia. This is part of the £3 billion annual pledge of the UK to Ukraine.
During the meeting, also attended by Ukrainian Defence Minster Rustem Umerov, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu, and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius among others, Healey said the UK sent 500,000 rounds of ammunition to Ukraine ever since the full-scale invasion by Russia began. This is worth over £1 billion.
According to Healey, the UK is on track to offer more than 10,000 drones to Ukraine in a single year. The deliveries are due next month.
The £150 million military aid package includes thousands of drones, dozens of battle tanks and armoured vehicles and air defence systems.
"More than 50 armoured and protective vehicles, including modernised T-72 tanks will be deployed to Ukraine by the end of spring, building on the thousands of pieces of equipment the UK has already given to Ukraine," a UK government statement read.
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The air defence equipment, which has 90 per cent success rate of shooting down kamikaze drones, will support more than 100 Ukrainian air defence teams.
"2025 is the critical year for the war in Ukraine. Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage – military and civilians alike, and their bravery – fused with our support – has proved a lethal combination....While Russia is weakened, it remains undeniably dangerous. We must step up further – and secure peace through strength – together," Healey said.
Earlier, admitting that "Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses a serious threat to UK prosperity and security," the UK government had said it has provided £7.8 billion in military support since the invasion. "We have sent around 400 different capabilities to Ukraine, with a new £225 million package including drones, boats and munitions announced on 19 December 2024, 650 lightweight multirole missiles announced on 6 September 2024 and a package of military equipment announced on 7 July 2024," an earlier statement from the government read.
