British Defense Minister John Gilli announced the allocation of an additional half a billion pounds ($681.4 million) to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense.
According to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, Gilley made the announcement ahead of a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
“This afternoon, I will confirm that the UK is providing Ukraine with an additional half a billion pounds for urgent air defense.
In this way, the UK is acting as a force for good in the world, building a new agreement on European security within NATO,” he said during a conversation with the media.
Gilley added that he is proud of the UK’s leadership and commitment to its allies.
“We will support you. We will defend you. We will fight alongside you in this new era of threats and brute force,” the minister said.
Gilley also confirmed that the UK will play a central role in NATO’s Arctic security mission, which aims to strengthen security in the region.
Later, the UK government website published a press release on a new aid package for Ukraine to strengthen its air defense. The new £500 million package includes £150 million for NATO’s PURL initiative and an additional 1,000 British-made missiles.
The Minister of Defense confirmed that the UK will provide £150 million for the first time to NATO’s Priority Urgent Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which ensures the rapid delivery of air defense interceptor missiles to protect Ukraine’s skies.
In addition, the UK intends to supply an additional 1,000 Belfast-made Light Multi-Mission Missiles (LMM).
This £390 million deal is based on deepening cooperation between British and Ukrainian industry on the transfer of production and support for Rapid Ranger launchers and command and control vehicles to Ukraine.
The government has announced that in the coming months, the UK will also supply an additional 1,200 air defense missiles and 200,000 artillery shells.
As reported, Defense Minister Gille is co-chairing the 33rd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group today (February 12, 2026) at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
