United to win: UK unveils unprecedented military aid package for Ukraine, including boats, armored vehicles, and air defense systems
Photo: armyinform.com.ua
Britain plans to provide Ukraine with the most significant military aid package valued at 500 million pounds. This will include boats, long-range Storm Shadow missiles, and air defense equipment.
Prime Minister of Great Britain Rishi Sunak will announce this on April 23 during his trip to Poland, the website of the British government reported.
The British government's leader is set to visit Poland and unveil plans for a substantial boost in military aid for Ukraine. This will include an additional £500m in military funding and the largest-ever supply of crucial equipment from Britain.
As noted, the head of the British government will meet with the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, to discuss the deepening of British-Polish relations.
The officials will also hold talks in Warsaw with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about European security and support for Ukraine. The Prime Minister will then travel to Germany to meet Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
"Ukraine is facing an existential threat as Russia continues its barbaric invasion, risking the security and stability of all of Europe," the report noted.
What is included in the package of military aid to Ukraine
Additional funding will be used for fast delivery of:
- urgently needed ammunition,
- air defense means,
- drones and engineering support.
It is known that the drones will be purchased in Great Britain.
The British Ministry of Defense will also send Ukraine an equipment package designed to repel a Russian invasion on land, sea, and air. The assistance package includes:
- 60 boats, including raiding and diving boats, as well as naval guns,
- more than 1,600 attack and anti-aircraft missiles, as well as additional long-range Storm Shadow missiles,
- more than 400 pieces of equipment, including 160 protected Husky vehicles, 162 armored vehicles, and 78 all-terrain vehicles,
- almost 4 million small arms ammunition.
"Ukraine's armed forces continue to fight bravely, but they need our support—and they need it now. Today's package will help ensure that Ukraine will have everything it needs to fight Russia," the Prime Minister emphasized.
At the same time, British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said that "this record package of military aid will give President Zelensky and his brave nation more of the tools they need to oust Putin and restore peace and stability in Europe."
"Great Britain was the first to provide NLAW missiles, the first to provide 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 that Ukraine is fighting, and with our constant support, they will win," Shapps emphasized.
For reference:
At the beginning of April, French President Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister of Great Britain discussed further support for Ukraine, agreeing to increase the supply of ammunition, drones, and air defense.
In addition, the minesweepers "Chernihiv" and "Cherkasy," which Ukraine's Navy acquired from Great Britain, have arrived at the Royal Navy's base in Portsmouth to participate in joint exercises.
