UK Announces $2 Billion Deal to Fund Air-Defense Missiles for Ukraine

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that the United Kingdom (UK) has finalized a £1.6 billion ($2 billion) deal to supply 5,000 air-defense missiles to Ukraine, reinforcing its commitment to Kyiv’s security amid Russia’s ongoing assault.

The agreement, which will be executed through export financing, ensures that the missiles will be manufactured in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Although specific terms of the contract remain undisclosed, Starmer emphasized its strategic importance. “This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now and strengthening Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes,” he stated at a press conference following the European leaders’ summit in London.

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This latest defense package follows a March 1 announcement regarding a $2.8 billion loan, backed by frozen Russian assets, aimed at supporting Ukraine’s broader military efforts. Ukraine has consistently urged its allies to increase funding for its air defense systems as Russia continues to target Ukrainian cities with missile and drone attacks.

Even before this deal, Starmer had been actively engaging with world leaders, hosting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European counterparts in London to discuss ways to strengthen military aid and achieve a just and lasting peace. The discussions have gained greater urgency amid tensions between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Washington’s support for Ukraine.

During the press conference, Starmer confirmed that the UK, France, and other European nations are forming a ‘coalition of the willing’, aiming to deploy “planes in the air and boots on the ground” to support Ukraine’s defense and negotiate a potential ceasefire. He also revealed that he had spoken with Trump on March 1, stressing the importance of U.S. cooperation in ensuring the coalition’s success.

The deal is expected to create 200 new jobs in Northern Ireland while sustaining 700 existing positions at Thales in Belfast, where production of lightweight-multirole missiles (LMMs) will triple. Defense Secretary John Healey reaffirmed that the UK remains steadfast in supporting Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty while ensuring long-term European security.

This news is sourced from Reuters and is intended for informational purposes only.