Ukraine and the United Kingdom work to strengthen air capabilities and procure Ukrainian drones

Ukraine and the United Kingdom are building a long-term and mutually beneficial defence partnership. The key areas of cooperation are strengthening the protection of Ukrainian skies, supporting air capabilities, countering russian drones, and procuring Ukrainian drones for the Defence Forces.

This was the focus of the first call between Acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine Evgeniy Khmara and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.

Evgeniy Khmara congratulated his British counterpart on his appointment and thanked the United Kingdom for its consistent and unwavering support for Ukraine.

Stronger protection of Ukrainian skies

The main topic of the call was the steps needed to better protect Ukrainian skies.

Ukraine is counting on support for the project to supply Gripen aircraft along with Meteor missiles for them. This is important for countering russian aircraft and protecting Ukrainians from russian attacks.

It is also critically important to keep supplying munitions for F-16 aircraft. One of the tasks set by the President of Ukraine is to protect the “grain corridor” from russian strikes, and that calls for strong air capabilities.

Missiles to counter Shahed drones

Missiles to counter russian attack drones were a separate focus of the call.

russia is scaling up its strikes with jet-powered Shaheds. Swift decisions by partners in this area can directly save Ukrainian lives and better protect infrastructure.

Ukrainian drones through the ERA Loan

The two sides also discussed procuring Ukrainian drones for the Defence Forces through the ERA Loan, drawing on revenues from frozen russian assets.

These include interceptor drones, as well as middle strike and deep strike drones.

Evgeniy Khmara thanked the United Kingdom for its leadership and its readiness to take defence cooperation with Ukraine to a new level.