Ukraine is counting on Britain’s assistance in strengthening air defense, aviation capabilities, and drone production
Kyiv • UNN
Acting Minister of Defense Yevhenii Khmara discussed defense assistance with his British counterpart Wes Streeting. Priorities include air defense, aviation, countering drones, and financing Ukrainian UAVs.
Ukraine is counting on the continuation of the United Kingdom’s long-term support in key defense areas: air defense, aviation capabilities, countering Russian drones, and financing the production of Ukrainian drones. This was discussed during a meeting between Ukraine’s Acting Minister of Defense Yevheniy Khmara and the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Defence Wes Streeting, UNN reports, citing the Ministry of Defence.
Details
The meeting was also attended by Acting Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Brigadier General Serhii Sobko, and a representative of the intelligence service. They briefed the British delegation on the situation on the battlefield, current threats, Ukraine’s steps in response to the aggressor’s actions, and its current defense needs.
Air defense — a key priority
Khmara thanked the United Kingdom for its leadership and systematic support for Ukraine.
Britain guarantees long-term support for Ukraine — at least £3 billion per year. Ukraine is counting on the continuation of this assistance in areas that are critically important for protecting people and ensuring the resilience of the state.
First and foremost, this means protecting Ukraine’s skies. We need systems to counter ballistic and cruise missiles, faster deliveries of radars, and the development of a radar network. Ukraine’s ability to protect cities, critical infrastructure, and people’s lives directly depends on the pace of these decisions.
The parties separately discussed strengthening Ukraine’s aviation capabilities.
Gripen, Meteor, and countering the carriers of guided aerial bombs
According to the Ministry of Defence, the discussion included, in particular, support for the project to supply Gripen aircraft with Meteor missiles. This is important for countering Russian carriers of guided aerial bombs.
Another key area is countering Russian attack drones. Ukraine and the United Kingdom have already reached an agreement on the delivery of hundreds of anti-drone missiles this year.
Financing Ukrainian drones
Another focus of the meeting was Ukrainian drones.
Ukraine is counting on the continuation and increase of financing for the production of Ukrainian drones, including through revenues from frozen Russian assets.
Such decisions make it possible to scale up capabilities that have already proven effective on the battlefield more quickly.
Ukraine has unique experience of modern warfare, and the United Kingdom is one of the key partners in strengthening our defense capabilities. I am grateful for its leadership, the strength of its support, and its concrete assistance to Ukraine.Yevheniy KhmaraActing Minister of Defense of Ukraine
The parties agreed to continue developing a long-term and mutually beneficial defense partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
Recall
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the United Kingdom’s new Secretary of State for Defence Wes Streeting. The head of state emphasized that the main priority today is anti-ballistic defense, as the aggressor plans to significantly increase ballistic missile production ahead of winter.