The drone initiative forms the centrepiece of the UK’s record £4.5 billion military support package. Of this, £350 million has been specifically earmarked for the procurement and development of unmanned aerial systems.
Britain has pledged a dramatic increase in drone support for Ukraine, unveiling a plan to deliver 100,000 drones in 2025—a tenfold rise on last year’s total. The announcement came as Defence Secretary John Healey is set to join his German and Ukrainian counterparts, Boris Pistorius, and Rustem Umerov, respectively, for a pivotal 50-nation summit at NATO headquarters, part of the ongoing Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG).
The drone initiative forms the centrepiece of the UK’s record £4.5 billion military support package to Ukraine this financial year. Of this, £350 million has been specifically earmarked for the procurement and development of unmanned aerial systems. With more than 10,000 drones already delivered in 2024, tens of thousands more are set to follow in the coming months.
The UK’s strategic drone programme is being heralded as a vital tool in Ukraine’s defence against Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in 2022. British Defence Intelligence reports that drones now account for more battlefield casualties than artillery, highlighting their growing role in modern warfare.
“Ukraine’s armed forces have proven how effective drone warfare can be in defending against Putin’s illegal invasion,” said Defence Secretary Healey. “British companies are rising to the challenge, delivering cutting-edge drone technology that not only saves Ukrainian lives but also supports UK jobs and our own national security.”
Many of these drones are being built by British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which the government says underlines its commitment to defence as a driver of economic growth. The initiative is aligned with the broader “Plan for Change” announced by the government earlier this year.
The variety and sophistication of drones being supplied is expanding rapidly. First-person view (FPV) drones—remotely piloted and capable of striking Russian armour with precision—are among the most widely used. The UK is also delivering interceptor drones that target incoming Russian missiles and drones, as well as fibre-optic tethered drones designed to resist jamming from Russian electronic warfare systems.
Ukrainian military units have publicly credited British drones with helping to stabilise frontline positions and thwart Russian assaults. Some reports suggest that up to 70 percent of recent damage to Russian equipment has been caused by a combination of FPV and low-cost explosive-dropping drones supplied or funded by the UK.
Beyond drones, the UK is reinforcing its commitment with substantial artillery support. Since the start of 2025, Britain has completed the delivery of 140,000 artillery munitions to Ukraine, a crucial contribution given global supply chain constraints and the pressing need for sustained firepower on the front.
Further bolstering Ukraine’s capabilities, the UK will spend an additional £247 million this year on training Ukrainian troops. Under the Operation Interflex programme, more than 55,000 Ukrainian recruits have received combat training on British soil since 2022, with assistance from 13 allied nations.
At the NATO summit, Healey is expected to reaffirm the UK’s leadership in the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) mission. The UK will contribute £40 million to the NSATU trust fund, with funds directed towards procurement of spare parts, vehicle fuel, consumables, and rapid training solutions for Ukrainian units in combat zones.
The scaling up of drone support and training reflects key insights drawn from the battlefield. A recently published Strategic Defence Review, also referenced during the summit, commits more than £4 billion to autonomous systems and drone development for the UK’s own armed forces, aiming to integrate lessons learned in Ukraine into Britain’s future military posture.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government has also reiterated its pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027—a move aimed at reinforcing Britain’s position as a leading NATO power.
“This is not just about standing by Ukraine; it’s about investing in a safer and more secure future for all of us,” Healey said. “Defence is an engine for growth. This investment will keep us secure at home, strong abroad, and ensure the UK remains a world leader in rapidly developing drone technology.”
The Ukraine Defence Contact Group summit marks a crucial moment in allied coordination, as Kyiv continues to face a grinding war of attrition. Britain’s latest announcements are likely to be welcomed by Ukrainian officials who have consistently called for greater supplies of drones, artillery, and training to sustain their resistance against Russian forces.
