UK Pledges £1.6 Billion for Ukraine’s Air Defense Missiles

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a £1.6 billion ($2 billion) deal on Sunday to help Ukraine acquire 5,000 air-defense missiles through export financing. The announcement came during a summit of European leaders in London, where Starmer emphasized Europe’s responsibility in defending itself.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that Thales will manufacture the lightweight multirole missiles, which have a range of over 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) and can be launched from land, sea, or air platforms.

“This support is crucial for protecting Ukraine’s critical infrastructure now and ensuring lasting security in the future,” Starmer told reporters.

The pledge follows a massive Russian assault last week, during which over 200 drones targeted Ukraine in what Kyiv described as the largest drone attack since the war began three years ago.

The summit also took place amid concerns over U.S. support for Ukraine, following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks criticizing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for not showing enough gratitude for American aid. With uncertainty surrounding U.S. backing, Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense.