UK to fund 150,000 Ukrainian-made drones and 350 air defense missiles in £752 million package funded by Russian assets

The United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with 150,000 drones and more than 350 air defense missiles and radar systems under a new £752 million military aid package funded through revenues generated from frozen Russian sovereign assets, the UK Ministry of Defence announced on 18 June.

UK Defense Secretary Dan Jarvis said the assistance would help protect Ukrainian civilians from Russian missile and drone attacks while reinforcing Ukraine's ability to continue resisting Russia's invasion.

The package was unveiled during the 35th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) in Brussels, where nearly 50 countries gathered to coordinate military support for Ukraine.

Package focuses on drones and air defense

According to the UK government, the assistance includes 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones to be delivered by the end of 2026, alongside more than 350 air defense missiles and radar systems, including Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) and ground-based radar equipment.

British officials said the package is intended to strengthen Ukraine's ability to counter Russia's ongoing missile and drone attacks, which have intensified in recent months.

The funding comes from the UK's £2.26 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) loan to Ukraine, which is backed by proceeds from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.

Support linked to Ukraine's domestic defense industry

The drone component of the package will support Ukrainian domestic production, reflecting a growing trend among Kyiv's partners to invest directly in Ukraine's defense-industrial base rather than relying solely on foreign-manufactured equipment.

Ukraine has rapidly expanded domestic drone production since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, making unmanned systems a central element of both its battlefield operations and long-range strike campaign.

UK pledges continued pressure on Russia

Jarvis announced the package during meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and allied defense ministers in Brussels.

The announcement follows a series of measures unveiled by London earlier this week, including additional sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet, military procurement networks, and financial channels.

Britain assumes larger role in Ukraine support efforts

The UK also announced that it will take command of the Multinational Force Ukraine headquarters, which coordinates international support and long-term planning for the future development of Ukraine's armed forces.

British Major General Tom Bateman is set to assume command next month, overseeing multinational efforts to coordinate assistance and support the future regeneration of Ukraine's military.

The latest package adds to a broader pattern of Western efforts to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses as Russia continues large-scale missile and drone attacks against cities, infrastructure, and civilian targets across the country.