The Ministry of Defence announced a £752 million Ukraine drones and air defence package on 18 June 2026, with Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis confirming support for 150,000 Ukrainian-produced drones by the end of the year.
The announcement was made while the Defence Secretary was in Brussels for the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. The package is funded from the UK’s £2.26 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan to Ukraine.
The support includes drones, air defence missiles and radar systems intended for delivery by the end of 2026. The Ministry of Defence said the equipment responds to Ukraine’s battlefield requirements during Russia’s continuing war of aggression.
UK Announces £752 Million Ukraine Support Package
The Ministry of Defence said the UK will provide 150,000 drones to Ukraine by the end of the year as part of a £752 million funding package. The drones will be Ukrainian-produced and are part of a wider package designed to help Ukraine defend its freedom and sovereignty.
The funding comes from the UK’s £2.26 billion Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration loan to Ukraine. The loan is backed by proceeds from immobilised Russian sovereign assets, which were announced by the Chancellor last year.
- Funding route: the package is supported through the ERA loan mechanism linked to immobilised Russian sovereign assets.
- Production focus: the drone element supports Ukrainian domestic defence production while supplying equipment for battlefield use.
- Delivery window: the Ministry of Defence said drones will be provided by the end of the year.
Ukraine Support Package Overview
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Funding package | £752 million | The Ministry of Defence said the package is funded from the UK’s ERA loan to Ukraine. |
| Drones | 150,000 | The Ministry of Defence said the drones will be Ukrainian-produced and provided by the end of the year. |
| Air defence systems | More than 350 missiles and radars | The department said the package includes missiles and ground-based radar systems for delivery by the end of 2026. |
Drones And Air Defence Equipment
The package will deliver more than 350 air defence missiles and radars, including Lightweight Multirole Missiles and ground-based radar systems. The Ministry of Defence said these systems are needed to help protect Ukraine from Russian missile and drone attacks.
The department said air defence radars and missiles are used to support protection against air attacks on civilian targets. The package also strengthens Ukraine’s domestic defence production by placing the drone element with Ukrainian producers.
- Drones: Ukrainian-produced systems are included to increase available battlefield equipment by the end of 2026.
- Missiles: Lightweight Multirole Missiles are included among the air defence equipment announced by the Ministry of Defence.
- Radars: ground-based radar systems are included to improve detection and support Ukraine’s air defence network.
NATO And Ukraine Defence Contact Group Context
The drones and air defence support were announced as the Defence Secretary attended NATO talks in Brussels. Dan Jarvis also co-chaired the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
The Ukraine Defence Contact Group met for the 35th time and brought together nearly 50 nations. The Ministry of Defence said the meeting focused on Ukraine’s urgent battlefield requirements and long-term military support.
Brussels Defence Meeting Context
| Indicator | Recent Movement | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ukraine Defence Contact Group | 35th meeting | The Ministry of Defence said the Brussels meeting focused on immediate battlefield requirements and sustained support. |
| Participating nations | Nearly 50 | The department said the group brings together a broad coalition supporting Ukraine. |
| UK role | Co-chair with Germany | Dan Jarvis co-chaired the meeting with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. |
Wider Pressure On Russia
The announcement follows wider UK action announced at the G7, including new sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, military procurement supply chains and illicit finance networks.
The Ministry of Defence linked the Ukraine support package to broader efforts to reduce Russia’s ability to sustain attacks while strengthening Ukraine’s battlefield resilience.
Multinational Force Command Role
The Defence Secretary confirmed that Britain is taking command of the Multinational Force for Ukraine Headquarters. Major General Tom Bateman will assume command next month in the rank of Lieutenant General.
The headquarters is responsible for coordinating support to Ukraine and helping prepare for the long-term regeneration of Ukraine’s Armed Forces in the event of a peace deal. The Ministry of Defence said Major General Bateman has worked closely with counterparts in Ukraine, France and other participating nations.
NATO-First Defence Policy
The Ministry of Defence said the UK is delivering on the Strategic Defence Review’s NATO-first policy. The department connected the Ukraine package with wider investment in military capabilities and support for European security.
The Defence Secretary also met counterparts from the United States, France, Germany, Ukraine, Norway, Estonia, Denmark and Finland. With Germany and Norway, he agreed closer cooperation on anti-submarine warfare in the High North and Atlantic.
Stakeholder Comments
Ministerial Comments
Dan Jarvis MBE MP, Defence Secretary said;
“It is a privilege to attend my first NATO Defence Ministers meeting and host the vital Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany.”
“For 75 years, NATO has been the cornerstone of the UK’s security. My priorities are to strengthen the alliance’s deterrence and defence, and continue to support Ukraine as they defend their nation against Russia’s brutal war of aggression.”
“This package of drones, air defence missiles and radars that will help to protect innocent Ukrainian people from Putin’s barrage of drones and missiles, and it is an honour to welcome President Zelenskyy to this important meeting.”
Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer said;
“This funding is helping deliver the vital military equipment Ukraine needs as it defends itself against Russia’s unprovoked war.”
“Our support for Ukraine is steadfast. I am proud that we are providing vital support, and we will continue to do all we can to keep pressure on Russia.”
The £752 million package adds drones, missiles and radar systems to the UK’s military support for Ukraine, while linking that support to NATO coordination, ERA loan funding and wider pressure on Russia.
The announcement also places Britain in a command role for multinational support planning as Ukraine’s partners prepare for continuing defence needs and longer-term force regeneration.
Sources: Ministry of Defence and Dan Jarvis MBE MP.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organisation delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analysed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
