LONDON, Dec. 17 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
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Over 1,000 UK-built air-defence missiles delivered since June, as Russia targets power stations and energy networks.
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New British systems including RAVENandGRAVEHAWK and counter-Shahed turrets set to bolster Ukraine's defences this winter.
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Defence Secretary co-chairs meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) as UK further steps up support for Ukraine's security andsovereignty.
The UKhas committed£600 millioninair-defencecapabilities, includingcutting edgeturrets that can shoot down Russian dronesto supportUkrainethrough the winter, asPutin'sair campaignplungeshomes,hospitals,and power stations into darkness.
Thesupport has already seen more than 1,000 missiles delivered to Ukraine since June,a direct result of the UK Government's biggest single-year investment in air defence for Ukraine.
Theannouncement comes as the Defence Secretary John Healey MP and his Germancounterpart,Boris Pistorius co-chair the32ndmeeting of the UDCGtoday (16thDecember 2025).In a virtual meeting of 50 nations, which will be attended by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth,Ukraine's supporterswill discussthe country'skey military needs for 2026, share battlefieldinsights, plan equipment deliveriesandthegaps that need to be addressed.
The UK is backing Ukraine for the long term, with more than twenty remotely guided counter-drone turrets,acquiredfrom Estonia,set for delivery in 2026. These new systems, designed specifically to defeat Shahed-style attack drones at scale and at lower cost, form a crucial part of Ukraine's future defensivecapabilities.
Building on that momentum, five RAVEN air-defence systems - announced this summer - will now be handed over to Ukraine, giving frontline units a rapid-reaction shield against low-flying threats.Whilst thefirst GRAVEHAWK air-defence systems, announced in January and now being delivered, will reinforce Ukraine's ability to protect key infrastructure from Russia's deep-strikebarrages.
In addition, the UKwith funding frominternational partners,hasdeliveredover 1,000air defence missilesandover250,000rounds ofair-defence ammunition in2025.
Together, this represents a major step-change in Britain's support,ensuring Ukraine can keep the lights on and keep civilians safe through the harshest months of the war.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MPsaid:
Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage - military and civilians alike. The UK's £600 million air defence investment this year is critical help to Ukrainiansas they defend their towns,citiesand 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 positionto secure peace.
Central to this boost is the final tranche of 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM), delivered ahead of schedule last autumn and now playing a critical role in stopping Russia's one-way attack drones and cruise-missile strikes.
The announcement also builds on the landmarkOctopusannouncement between the UK and Ukraine. Thiswill see a newstate-of-the-artinterceptor drone built in the UK ready to be deployed at scale on the front line at Ukraine.
Interceptor drones areconsiderably cheaperthan regular air defence missiles and have proved to be highly effective in countering the waves of one-way attack drones Russia continue to launch at Ukraine's cities.
This reaffirms how the UK'ssupportfor Ukraine,drives investment and growth back in the UK, creating thousands of highly skilled jobs across the country.
Both the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have been clear that the UK's national security - the foundation of the Government's Plan for Change - starts in Ukraine.
The UKremainscommitted to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with £4.5 billion being spent on military support to Ukraine this year - the UK's highest ever level.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
