The United Kingdom has unveiled a new £450 million military support package for Ukraine, reinforcing its commitment to helping the nation defend against Russian aggression. The announcement came during a meeting of 50 nations in Brussels, co-chaired by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
The package includes £350 million from the UK's previously pledged £4.5 billion military support fund for 2024, with additional funding from Norway through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
Key components of the support package include:
- £160 million for repairs and maintenance of UK-provided military vehicles and equipment
- Over £250 million for a "close fight" military aid package featuring:
- Radar systems
- Anti-tank mines
- Hundreds of thousands of drones, including first-person view (FPV) attack drones
The procurement will involve both British and Ukrainian suppliers, supporting the defense industries and economies of both nations. The maintenance funding will be implemented through Taskforce HIRST, connecting UK and Ukrainian companies to expedite battlefield repairs.
During the Brussels meeting, allies collectively pledged €21 billion (£18.2 billion) in new military assistance to Ukraine. Germany announced an additional €11 billion worth of aid through 2029.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized continued US support, despite US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attending virtually rather than in person. The meeting also addressed growing concerns about increased Russian military activity, with Ukrainian officials reporting a 30% rise in frontline assaults over the past week.
The aid package demonstrates the UK's ongoing leadership role in coordinating international support for Ukraine, as the nation faces what many believe could be a critical year in 2025 for its defense against Russian aggression.