The UK has assumed a leading role in supporting Ukraine in 2025, facilitating the dispatch of 30,000 drones through a £45 million contract secured by the international Drone Capability Coalition. Co-led by the UK and Latvia, this initiative underscores the coalition’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defenses.
Defence Secretary John Healey along with Latvian Defence Minister Andris Sprūds at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group held at Ramstein Air Base announced the drone aide today. The 30,000 drones have been funded by the UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Latvia and Sweden.
Earlier, in November, the UK announced a £7.5 million investment in the Drone Capability Coalition’s Common Fund. The funding of these drones brings the UK’s total investment in the fund to £15 million.
The Drone Capability Coalition supports Ukraine with uncrewed surveillance and attack capabilities to target enemy positions and armoured vehicles. The fund has raised approximately £73 million from the UK and its partners to date.
The Defence Secretary further confirmed that the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine is over £1.3 billion, of which the UK has contributed £500 million.
Outlining the Ministry of Defence’s plan for Ukraine’s Defence in 2025 to more than 50 allies and partners gathered for the meeting, he said, “The fierce courage of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire the world, and this meeting of more than 50 nations sends a clear message to Putin about the international community’s unwavering support for Ukraine.”
He underscored the UK’s defence to be starting from Ukraine and stated, “Our commitment to provide £3 billion a year of military aid for as long as it takes will ensure Ukraine can defend themselves and is essential to protect the security of the UK because the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine.”
Extra funding of approximately £190 million has been assured to the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine by allies and partners, with Portugal and Germany contributing for the first time to strengthen international support for Ukraine.
The new contributions include:
- £67 million from Denmark for capabilities including drones, air defence systems and training equipment
- £59 million from Norway for specialist capabilities including drones and maritime training
- £43 million (€52 million) from Portugal for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones
- £20 million from Sweden to fund the repair of Archer self-propelled artillery systems and maritime training
- £4 million from Germany for maritime training
- £1 million from Iceland to fund coastal radars
UK’s leadership to support Ukraine in 2025 is expected to see an increase in Ukraine’s military capability, building on the success of Operation Interflex by enhancing the training offered to Ukraine, strengthening defence-industrial cooperation, increasing cooperation with its allies to support Ukraine and increasing pressure on Russia.
