UK commits £100 million for Ukraine's air defence, including Patriot missiles: govt
Britain recently agreed to release to Ukraine information on components for the long-range missile, SCALP, the French-produced version of the UK's Storm Shadow, so Ukraine could set up local assembly lines.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius takes his seat to attend the weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin on September 2, 2026. (Credit: AFP)
LONDON - Britain announced on Tuesday it was committing £100 million ($135 million) to boost Ukraine's air defence capabilities this winter, including with Patriot missiles.
The UK will also supply "air defence interceptors, large-calibre artillery rounds and drones" as part of the contribution to a NATO programme supporting Kyiv, the defence ministry said in a statement.
The equipment "will be delivered before the winter, helping Ukraine defend its critical national infrastructure, innocent civilians and armed forces from Russian attacks," the ministry added.
Ukraine relies on advanced systems -- chiefly, US Patriot interceptors -- to protect its skies from Russian ballistic missile strikes.
But it has reported a shortage of Patriot interceptors since the United States and Israel went to war with Iran in February, diverting supplies.
Britain has been one of Ukraine's biggest backers in its effort to repel Russia following Moscow's full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Ukraine last month on his first foreign trip since entering office in late July.
New UK defence minister Wes Streeting will co-chair his first meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which comprises 50 nations providing military kit to Ukraine, on Tuesday.
"Both the Prime Minister and I heard loud and clear on our first visits to Kyiv the importance of supporting Ukraine through this winter, as Putin prepares to use winter as a weapon by continuing barbaric attacks against civilian and energy targets," Streeting said.
Germany sending 'urgently needed' air-defence missiles to Ukraine
Relatedly on Tuesday also announced sending Ukraine further "urgently needed" interceptor missiles for Patriot air-defence systems from its own military stockpiles, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said in Berlin.
"I have decided ... to deliver urgently needed PAK-2 interceptor missiles from Bundeswehr stocks to Ukraine," Pistorius said during an online meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.
He also appealed to other supporters of Ukraine "to look into their own stocks and make similar deliveries".
However, Pistorius did not specify the number of interceptors or mention a timeline.
Faced with Moscow's intensified ballistic missile strikes on the capital, Ukraine has warned of its urgent need for US-made Patriots amid dwindling supplies.
However, the United States is conserving its stocks after having used a large number of Patriot interceptors during the war with Iran.
US deliveries of Patriot interceptors to Ukraine have been drastically reduced, and other countries are also clamouring for the weapons.
"I am aware that it is not easy to strike a balance between one's own security requirements and urgently needed support to Ukraine," Pistorius said. "But please, if in doubt, decide in favour for Ukraine."
The United Kingdom announced earlier on Tuesday that it was releasing 100 million pounds ($135 million) for interceptors, large-calibre ammunition, and drones for Kyiv.
Ukraine's new acting defence minister, Yevgeniy Khmara, underscored the importance of air-defence weaponry as the country tries to fend off increased Russian drone and missile strikes.
"Just last night, the enemy has resorted to another mass air attack," Khmara said at the meeting.
Ukraine is currently placing orders for roughly 1,000 Patriot interceptors with help from supporters and a loan from the European Union, Khmara said.
"However, the majority of these missiles will only start to be shipped in the coming years, which is why we ask that you supply us with the missiles from your stockpiles today," Khmara told Pistorius and other officials from countries supporting Ukraine.