- UK is now accelerating £200 million to equip UK Armed Forces
with new kit to be ready to deploy as part of the Multinational
Force for Ukraine.
- Funding will deliver new
vehicles, communications and counter-drone protection,
ensuring UK troops are ready to deploy.
- Defence Secretary announces that British-built Octopus
interceptor drones are entering production this month,
strengthening Ukraine's air defences against Russian attacks.
The Government has allocated £200 million of funding to
prepare the UK Armed Forces to deploy as part of the
Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNFU), the Defence Secretary has
announced during a visit to Ukraine.
The funding will equip UK forces to secure Ukraine's future and
reinforce long term security guarantees, following the
declaration of intent signed by the leaders of the UK, France and
Ukraine this week in Paris, which confirmed that UK and
French troops will deploy to Ukraine in the event of a peace
deal.
The Defence Secretary confirms today that £200 million has been
allocated for this year and will specifically fund preparations
for any deployment of the MNFU to upgrade vehicles,
communications systems, new
counter-drone protection and additional force-protection
equipment, ensuring troops are ready to deploy
if required.
This capital spending is being funded from the core defence
budget and sends a clear signal to allies and adversaries of the
UK's intent to lead the MNFU, fulfil our promises to secure the
peace in Ukraine and deliver a ‘new deal' for European security
to make Britain safer.
Defence Secretary
MP said:
“As we approach the fifth year of Putin's full-scale invasion,
the Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage – civilians
and military alike.
“We are surging investment into our preparations following the
Prime Minister's announcement this week, ensuring that Britain's
Armed Forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational
Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK.
“As we look towards a potential peace deal, we continue to step
up for Ukraine in the fight today – strengthening its air
defences while backing
British industry, jobs and innovation at home.”
The Defence Secretary discussed further details of the military
plans for the Multinational Force for Ukraine with President
Zelenskyy and Defence Minister Shmyhal, as he travelled to
Ukraine with the most senior UK General within the HQ of the
MNFU, which is already operational in Paris.
During those meetings, MP also confirmed that
production of British-built Octopus interceptor drones will begin
this month, boosting Ukraine's ability to defend itself against
Russian drone attacks on civilians and critical
infrastructure.
Developed by Ukrainian engineers and refined by British industry,
Octopus interceptors use frontline battlefield data to defeat
Shahed-style drones before they reach
homes, hospitals and power stations. The drones are
low-cost, quick to produce and designed for mass
manufacture.
The UK aims to produce thousands of Octopus drones per month and
send back into Ukraine to defend from further Russian drone
attacks.
Each Octopus interceptor costs less than 10 per cent of the drone
it is designed to destroy, giving Ukraine a sustainable way to
defend its skies at scale. The design is updated every six weeks
to stay ahead of Russian tactics. Octopus builds on the UK's
commitment to invest £600 million into air defence for Ukraine
this year, as part of £4.5 billion of military support.
Under the UK-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership, live battlefield data
feeds straight into UK production lines, allowing rapid upgrades
and faster delivery to the front line. The programme will also
support high-skilled jobs across the UK, backing defence as a
driver of growth and innovation.
