UK ramps up defense industry and provides Ukraine with $620 million in military aid

In a bold move to bolster national defense and support Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced on Tuesday a significant increase in defense spending and a pledge to send arms worth 500 million pounds ($620 million) to Ukraine.

Sunak described the increase as the “biggest strengthening of our national defense for a generation” and emphasized the need to defend the country, its interests, and its values in a world that he described as the most dangerous since the end of the Cold War.

The U.K. government plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade, with an additional 75 billion pounds ($93 billion) allocated over the next six years. This commitment follows a target set by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2022.

The announcement comes at a critical time as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has heightened the urgency for NATO allies to increase defense spending. Sunak emphasized the need for deeper stockpiles of munitions and for the defense industry to be able to replenish them more quickly.

In addition to the increase in defense spending, the U.K. will deploy Typhoon fighter jets to Poland to help police its skies, and will send a significant shipment of arms to Ukraine, including vehicles, boats, munitions, and ammunition. The commitment also includes British Storm Shadow long-range missiles, which have proven effective at hitting Russian targets.

The U.K.’s support for Ukraine comes as the country struggles to hold off advancing Russian forces on the eastern front line. Sunak’s office confirmed that he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to assure him of the U.K.’s steadfast support against Russia’s brutal and expansionist ambitions.

The announcement from the U.K. follows a similar move by the U.S. House of Representatives, which approved $61 billion in new aid for Ukraine. The Senate was set to vote on the package on Tuesday.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, international support and assistance are crucial in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.