30,000 drones will be sent to Ukraine in 2025 after the international Drone Capability Coalition, jointly led by the UK and Latvia, signed a contract worth £45 million, as the UK strengthens its leadership in support of Ukraine.
Defense Secretary John Healy announced this milestone today (Thursday, January 9) alongside Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruz at the Ukraine Defense Liaison Group at Ramstein Air Base.
Healey arrived last night for a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the US Air Force base.
The Drone Capability Coalition supports Ukraine with unmanned surveillance and strike capabilities. Funding for the new 30,000 drones will come from the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Latvia and Sweden.
This state-of-the-art first-person view drone will help Ukraine fight Russian attacks, allowing Ukrainian forces to get past Russian air defenses and target enemy positions and armored vehicles.
Today’s announcement follows a £7.5 million investment in the UK’s Drone Capability Coalition joint fund launched last November, bringing the UK’s total investment in the fund to date to £15 million. To date, the fund has raised approximately £73 million from the UK and its partners.
The Defense Secretary also confirmed that the UK-administered international fund for Ukraine is now worth more than £1.3 billion, of which the UK has contributed £500 million.
He also outlined the Pentagon’s plans for Ukraine’s defense in 2025 to more than 50 allies and partners gathered at the meeting. John Healy discussed the plan with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Kiev last December.
Secretary of Defense John Healey said:
The fierce courage of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire the world, and this meeting of more than 50 countries sends a clear message to President Putin of the international community’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
I am proud of the UK’s leadership in supporting Ukraine. From commanding coalition forces that provide essential equipment alongside our allies to training new recruits, we stand strong with Ukraine against Putin’s aggression.
Our commitment to provide £3 billion a year in military support will ensure Ukraine can defend itself and is essential to protecting the security of the UK. Because Britain’s defense begins in Ukraine.
In another sign of the strength of international support for Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russia’s unlawful invasion, allies and partners have committed more than £190 million in additional funding to the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine, with Portugal and Germany also contributed. For the first time.
The fund uses financial contributions from international partners to rapidly procure priority military equipment for Ukraine. New contributions include:
- £67 million in funding from Denmark for capabilities including drones, air defense systems and training equipment.
- £59 million in support from Norway for specialist capabilities including drones and maritime training
- £43 million (€52 million) in funding from Portugal for reconnaissance, surveillance and reconnaissance drones.
- £20 million from Sweden to finance Archer self-propelled howitzer system repairs and maritime training
- £4 million from Germany for maritime training
- £1 million from Iceland to fund coastal radar
Since taking office in July, the government has strengthened international leadership and demonstrated unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging £3 billion in military aid to Ukraine every year for as long as it is needed. In October, a further £2.26 billion was announced using profits from seized Russian assets.
The Allies and Partners meeting in Ramstein follows the Defense Secretary’s visit to Kiev last month, where he meets with his counterpart Rustem Umerov to discuss priority areas of UK defense support and to secure £186 million from the Defense Secretary. It follows the announcement of a new £225 million package including: Ukrainian International Fund for Military Assistance.
The Government has made clear that Britain’s defense begins in Ukraine and that providing military support is essential to promoting both UK national security and stability in Europe.
As part of Ukraine’s 2025 Defense Plan, Britain’s continued leadership of the Ukraine war effort throughout 2025 will enhance Ukraine’s military capabilities. We will build on the success of Operation Interflex by strengthening the training provided to Ukraine. We will strengthen cooperation in the defense industry. We will strengthen cooperation with our allies to support Ukraine. It will increase pressure on Russia.
(If my totals are correct, that’s £1500 per drone(ed))
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