The UK has confirmed a £600 million air-defence package for Ukraine, including automated turrets designed to shoot down Russian drones, as part of efforts to protect cities and energy infrastructure through the winter.
The support includes more than 1,000 air-defence missiles delivered since June and new systems such as RAVEN, GRAVEHAWK, and counter-Shahed turrets. The equipment is intended to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend against Russian attacks on power stations, hospitals and civilian infrastructure.
The announcement was made as Defence Secretary John Healey MP and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius co-chaired the 32nd Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) meeting, attended virtually by representatives from 50 nations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. The talks focused on Ukraine’s capability requirements for 2026 and coordination of international military support.
More than twenty remotely guided counter-drone turrets, sourced from Estonia and built to defeat Shahed-style attack drones at scale, will be delivered in 2026. The UK will also transfer five RAVEN systems, providing rapid-reaction defence for frontline units, while GRAVEHAWK systems already being delivered will support protection of strategic infrastructure.
The package also includes over 250,000 rounds of air-defence ammunition supplied this year with international funding. This follows the delivery of 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMM) ahead of schedule last autumn, now deployed to counter drone and cruise missile attacks.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
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 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.
The package builds on the Octopus drone programme, under which a next-generation UK-built interceptor drone will be deployed in Ukraine. Interceptor drones are significantly cheaper than traditional air-defence missiles and have shown strong results against incoming attack drones.
The Government says the investment also supports UK industry, with defence production linked to the package creating roles in specialist manufacturing and engineering across the country.
The UK has committed £4.5 billion in military support to Ukraine this year, the highest level to date, and ministers continue to frame Ukraine’s security as integral to the UK’s own national defence priorities.
