The UK has committed £600 million in air defence support for Ukraine, including automated turrets capable of shooting down Russian drones, as part of a major effort to help Kyiv protect civilians and critical infrastructure through the winter.
The package includes cutting-edge British systems designed to counter Russia’s escalating air campaign, which has repeatedly targeted homes, hospitals and power stations, plunging large parts of Ukraine into darkness.
More than 1,000 UK-built air defence missiles have already been delivered since June, marking the largest single-year investment Britain has made in Ukraine’s air defences.
New systems to strengthen winter defences
The latest support includes RAVEN and GRAVEHAWK air defence systems, alongside counter-Shahed automated turrets designed to defeat large numbers of Iranian-designed one-way attack drones at lower cost.
Five RAVEN systems, announced earlier this summer, will now be handed over to Ukraine, providing frontline units with rapid protection against low-flying threats. The first GRAVEHAWK systems, announced in January and now being delivered, will strengthen Ukraine’s ability to shield key infrastructure from long-range Russian missile strikes.
In addition, the UK has confirmed that more than 20 remotely guided counter-drone turrets, acquired from Estonia, are scheduled for delivery in 2026, forming a critical part of Ukraine’s longer-term air defence capability.
Defence leaders meet to coordinate support
The announcement comes as Defence Secretary John Healey MP co-chairs the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) alongside his German counterpart Boris Pistorius on 16 December 2025.
The virtual meeting brings together 50 nations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, to assess Ukraine’s military needs for 2026, share battlefield intelligence, coordinate equipment deliveries and identify capability gaps.
Missiles and ammunition delivered at scale
Alongside the new systems, the UK, with funding from international partners, has delivered over 1,000 air defence missiles and more than 250,000 rounds of air defence ammunition to Ukraine in 2025 alone.
A key component of this effort is the final tranche of 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), delivered ahead of schedule last autumn and now playing a crucial role in intercepting one-way attack drones and cruise missiles.
Interceptor drones and UK jobs
The package also builds on the Octopus agreement between the UK and Ukraine, which will see a new interceptor drone developed in Britain and deployed at scale on the Ukrainian frontline.
Interceptor drones are significantly cheaper than traditional air defence missiles and have proven highly effective against the sustained waves of drone attacks launched by Russia. The programme is also expected to support thousands of highly skilled jobs across the UK, driving domestic investment and industrial growth.
‘Critical help’ for Ukraine, says Healey
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said the investment would play a vital role in protecting civilians and infrastructure during the harsh winter months.
“Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage, military and civilians alike,” he said.
“The UK’s £600 million air defence investment this year is critical help to Ukrainians as they defend their towns, cities and energy infrastructure from Russia’s barbaric attacks.
“Alongside this 50-strong group of partners, we are working to deliver the vital support for Ukraine’s defence to put them in the strongest possible position to secure peace.”
Long-term commitment
The government reiterated that the UK’s national security is closely tied to Ukraine’s defence, with ministers stressing that stability in Europe begins on the Ukrainian front line.
Britain is spending £4.5 billion on military support for Ukraine in 2025, its highest-ever annual level, and says it remains committed to securing a just and lasting peace.
