The United Kingdom has announced a significant military aid package for Ukraine, which includes 150,000 domestically produced drones and over 350 air defense missiles and radar systems. The announcement was made by Defence Minister Dan Jarvis during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group on June 18.
This aid package, valued at £752 million (approximately €860 million), will be financed through the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan, which utilizes revenues from frozen Russian assets. The UK Treasury had previously outlined this initiative last year.
The package is set to deliver more than 350 air defense missiles and radar systems, including lightweight multi-role missiles (LMM) and ground-based radar systems, by the end of 2026. The UK government emphasized the necessity of these systems in countering ongoing Russian airstrikes against civilian targets.
“Putin continues his barbaric air attacks on civilian targets, and the radars and air defense missiles are crucial for protecting Ukraine,” stated the British government.
Jarvis, who co-chaired the meeting for the first time since taking office, expressed hope that the drones, air defense missiles, and radar systems would help safeguard innocent Ukrainian civilians from the barrage of drones and missiles launched by Russia.
“It is an honor for me to welcome President Zelensky to this important meeting,” he added.
Additionally, the Defence Minister confirmed that the UK will take command of the Multinational Forces in Ukraine (MNF-U), with Major General Tom Bateman leading a multinational team responsible for coordinating support for Ukraine and assisting in the long-term recovery of its armed forces in the event of a peace agreement.
The UK government reiterated its commitment to the policy of “NATO above all,” as outlined in the Defence Strategic Review, continuing to support Ukraine and investing in military capabilities to ensure that its armed forces are well-equipped for current and future challenges. Key lessons from Ukraine and how the UK can enhance European security are expected to be central to the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan, which will be released ahead of the NATO summit.
In Europe, approximately $300 billion of Russian sovereign assets remain frozen, with the largest portion, around €190 billion, held in the Euroclear international depository in Belgium. The UK has frozen about €30 billion in Russian assets, while France has approximately €19 billion.
Meanwhile, the European Union is also providing assistance to Ukraine through the ERA mechanism, which is expected to offer around $50 billion in loans backed by profits from frozen Russian sovereign assets. These funds are aimed at supporting Ukraine’s budget, military needs, and infrastructure recovery.
The UK has announced a £752 million military aid package for Ukraine, which includes drones and air defense systems. This initiative, financed through frozen Russian assets, aims to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities amid ongoing conflicts.