The UK has committed to sending 100,000 new drones to Ukraine by April 2026, building on the 10,000 UAVs it already provided last year. This pledge is part of the UK’s newly released Strategic Defense Review, which outlines plans to bolster its military in response to what it views as an escalating threat from Russia.
The UK government has allocated £350 million ($470 million) from its £4.5 billion military support package for Ukraine to fund these drone deliveries.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey is expected to discuss the initiative at the upcoming Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels. According to a government statement, the UK recognizes Ukraine’s success with drone warfare and acknowledges the positive economic impact of its growing demand for UAVs. Additionally, the UK plans to use Ukraine’s experience with drones to enhance its own military capabilities, earmarking over £4 billion for autonomous systems and drone technology for its armed forces.
Ukraine has been using drones in attacks, including strikes on civilian sites in Russia, since the conflict escalated in February 2022. These attacks have increased as peace talks between Moscow and Kiev resumed in Istanbul. Russia has accused Ukraine’s Western backers, especially the UK, France, and Germany, of pushing drone warfare to derail negotiations and further their political objectives.
In the wake of this development, the UK’s new defense strategy is framed as a direct message to Moscow, asserting Britain’s readiness to engage if necessary. The strategy includes plans to spend £1.5 billion on new weapons plants, £6 billion on long-range arms, and £15 billion on nuclear warheads, alongside other defense-related expenditures.
Russia, however, has dismissed claims of an impending attack on Western Europe as baseless, accusing the West of using fear tactics to justify ramping up military spending. Moscow also warned that continued foreign military involvement, including arms shipments, would hinder peace talks and ultimately fail to prevent Russia from achieving its military objectives. The Kremlin has further criticized the UK’s and EU’s militarization efforts, warning that these actions could spark a broader European conflict.
