The UK’s Defence Secretary John Healey is set to meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, in London today. The visit comes at a crucial juncture, as the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine reaches a milestone of £1 billion in contributions from eight countries worldwide.
Milestone Achievement in International Support
The International Fund for Ukraine’s (IFU) latest accomplishment underscores the growing unity among Ukraine’s allies.
This collaborative effort has culminated in the fund’s largest support package to date, announced by the Prime Minister at the NATO Summit in July. The package includes:
- A £300 million contract for 152mm artillery shells
- Expected delivery of thousands of shells by year-end
- Alignment with the UK government’s accelerated military support strategy
Accelerating Aid Delivery
Mr. Healey confirmed that the £300 million contract has been signed, promising a significant boost to Ukraine’s military capabilities.
“UK military equipment continues to prove invaluable for Ukraine’s war effort,”
he stated, emphasizing the importance of sustained support in light of ongoing defensive operations.
The Defence Secretary added,
“We are speeding up deliveries of aid, with a much-needed ammunition package announced by the Prime Minister at NATO set to begin deliveries within months.”
International Collaboration Expands
The IFU has seen increased participation from several nations:
| Country | Contribution Focus |
|---|---|
| Denmark | Drones and air defence capabilities |
| Lithuania | Drones and air defence capabilities |
| Netherlands | Drones and air defence capabilities |
| Norway | Drones and air defence capabilities |
These contributions aim to enhance Ukraine’s frontline capabilities and protect its infrastructure from Russian attacks.
Continued Support and Industrial Stimulation
The newly signed artillery ammunition contract is set to deliver 120,000 shells over the next 18 months. This not only provides crucial support to Ukraine but also stimulates European industrial capacity and safeguards reliable supply chains.
Previous IFU packages have included:
- Heavy-lift and reconnaissance drones
- Maritime drones
- Minefield-clearing capabilities
- Combat vehicle spares
- Air defence systems
As the conflict continues, the UK government remains committed to supporting Ukraine. The Defence Secretary’s recent visit to Ukraine, where he met President Zelenskyy, underscores this dedication to accelerating military support.
Sources: THX News, Ministry of Defence & The Rt Hon John Healey MP.
