UK Announce Largest Ukraine Aid Package Yet
The United Kingdom has pledged to support Ukraine with a new package of aid estimated to be worth $617 million (£500 million). This will include approximately 400 vehicles, 1,600 complex munitions of various types and 4 million rounds of ammunition. The news comes as the US prepares to ratify and announce its first major aid package in six months, after Congress passed a renewed aid budget late last week.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will make the announcement at a press conference during a visit to Poland today. Sunak will meet Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss Anglo-Polish relations, and hold talks with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Warsaw. The Prime Minister will also travel to Germany to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.
In a statement shared by the Prime Minister’s office yesterday evening Sunak said: “Defending Ukraine against Russia’s brutal ambitions is vital for our security and for all of Europe. If Putin is allowed to succeed in this war of aggression, he will not stop at the Polish border.” He added that “Ukraine’s armed forces continue to fight bravely, but they need our support – and they need it now. Today’s package will help ensure Ukraine has what they need to take the fight to Russia. The United Kingdom will always play its part at the forefront of European security, defending our national interest and standing by our Nato allies.”
The unprecedented aid package is said to include 60 offshore raiding craft, raiding craft and dive boats as well as what are described as ‘maritime guns’. The transfer will also include more than 1,600 strike and air defense missiles, as well as additional Storm Shadow long-range precision-guided missiles. Additionally nearly 4 million rounds of small arms ammunition of various calibres and 400 vehicles including 160 Husky protected patrol vehicles will be transferred, along with a further 162 unspecified armoured vehicles and nearly 80 all-terrain vehicles.
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“This record package of military aid will give President Zelenskyy and his brave nation more of the kit they need to kick Putin out and restore peace and stability in Europe. The UK was the first to provide NLAW missiles, the first to give modern tanks and the first to send long-range missiles. Now, we are going even further. We will never let the world forget the existential battle Ukraine is fighting, and with our enduring support, they will win.”
In addition to the vehicles, missiles and materiel promised the package includes £500 million ($617 million) which will be used to “rapidly deliver urgently-needed ammunition, air defence, drones and engineering support. The drones will be procured in the UK and the funds will support a scale-up in domestic defence supply chains.” So far the UK has provided £3 billion in military aid this financial year.