UK Give 10,000 Drones to Ukraine

On Thursday, the UK government announced its commitment to supplying Ukraine with over 10,000 drones to support its efforts against Russia. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the allocation of an additional £125 million ($160 million) for state-of-the-art drones, bringing the total drone assistance package to £325 million ($415 million).

This substantial funding will facilitate the provision of more than 10,000 drones to the Ukrainian armed forces throughout the year. The drones encompass various types, including first-person view drones, one-way attack drones, surveillance drones, and maritime drones, contributing to Ukraine's military capabilities.

During his third visit to Kyiv, Shapps emphasized the UK's dedication to bolstering Ukraine's defenses with cutting-edge technology sourced from the UK's leading defense industries. The Defence Secretary met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, and President Volodymyr Zelensky during the visit.

The UK has already committed over £7 billion in military support to Ukraine since the crisis began in February 2022. Additionally, the UK has played a crucial role in training tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops. Last May, the UK became the first country to supply longer-range weapons to Ukraine, announcing the dispatch of air-launched Storm Shadow missiles.

Highlighting the effectiveness of drone usage by Ukrainian troops in the conflict, the defence ministry noted the destruction and damage inflicted on thousands of pieces of Russian equipment and vehicles. Despite facing challenges such as a shortage of manpower and weapons, Kyiv has recently achieved frontline battlefield gains against Russia.