The UK has announced an urgent £100 million air defence package for Ukraine to protect cities, critical infrastructure, and frontline positions from relentless Russian bombardment.
The funding will be rapidly deployed to strengthen Ukraine’s air defences, marking the latest commitment in a sustained campaign of support. Over the past two months alone, the UK has now committed £600 million in air defence assistance.
The announcement came as leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force convened in Helsinki to discuss accelerating allied support. It follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to London last week, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer witnessed firsthand the resolve of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Prime Minister Starmer underscored the UK’s unwavering stance: “As Putin continues his abhorrent attacks across Ukraine, my message is simple – there will be no let up in the UK’s support. Putin’s needless full-scale invasion has hurt households up and down the UK by increasing the cost of living and undermining European security.”
He added: “To ensure that never happens again, and protect people at home from the real threat that Russia poses, I am determined to do everything we can to support a sovereign and free Ukraine for generations to come. This vital air defence package will do just that, protecting millions of people in Ukraine from Russia’s barbaric strikes.”
Defence Secretary John Healey MP highlighted the urgency of the moment: “Ukraine continues to bravely defend against Putin’s brutal attacks, and I am proud of how the UK is stepping up support to achieve peace on their terms. This will provide Ukraine with vital air defence to protect civilians, cities and critical infrastructure.”
Healey also noted the broader geopolitical context: “The axis of aggression between Russia and Iran makes it increasingly important that we build on Ukrainian expertise and innovation, supported by British industry. I pay tribute to the huge courage and ingenuity of the Ukrainian people, and I am determined to make 2026 the year this war ends.”
This new funding builds on a £500 million air defence package announced in February, which included £150 million for NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List and over 1,000 Lightweight Multirole Missiles manufactured in Belfast. The UK is also delivering an additional 1,200 air defence missiles and 200,000 rounds of artillery ammunition through the Air Defence Consortium.
The package is part of the UK’s wider £3 billion annual military support for Ukraine and follows the Prime Minister’s recent move to authorise British forces to board shadow fleet vessels in UK waters, increasing pressure on Russia.
