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During his visit to Kyiv, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed to providing £2.5 billion ($3.2 billion) in military funding to Ukraine for 2024, with a significant focus on supplying long-range attack drones. This announcement was made as Sunak arrived in Ukraine’s capital.
The funding, which marks a £200 million increase from the past two years, will be allocated to various military needs, including drones, artillery ammunition, long-range missiles, air defense, and maritime security.
Sunak’s visit and financial commitment come amid concerns about the future of military aid from the US and some European countries. The British Prime Minister assured the UK there would be no reduction in its defense support, emphasizing the interconnectedness of Ukrainian and British security. “I am here with one message: the UK will not falter. We will stand with Ukraine, in their darkest hours and in the better times to come,” Sunak stated, reaffirming the UK’s role as a significant military aid provider in Europe, second only to Germany.
A significant portion of the new funding, about £200 million, is earmarked for a substantial increase in military drone production and procurement, including surveillance, long-range strike, and sea drones. This move is set to be the largest drone delivery effort by any country supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
The production of most of these drones is expected to take place in the UK, with collaboration from international partners to amplify the supply to the Ukrainian military. However, specific types of drones included in this latest commitment remain undisclosed.
Sunak’s visit is also anticipated to strengthen UK-Ukraine relations by signing a comprehensive security cooperation agreement. This agreement is a formalization of the ongoing support provided by the UK, encompassing areas like intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, medical and military training, and defense industrial cooperation.
This development follows the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where G7 nations agreed to offer bilateral security assurances to Ukraine, with the UK leading the way in finalizing such agreements.
