The UK Government has confirmed that 30,000 drones will be sent to Ukraine, following pledges from allies to step up support in 2025 as the war against Russia continues.

The news follows £45 million worth of contracts being placed by the international Drone Capability Coalition, co-led by the UK and Latvia, with UK defence secretary John Healey announcing the milestone alongside his Latvian counterpart, Andris Sprūds.

The new, first-person view drones will provide Ukraine with uncrewed surveillance and attack capabilities, allowing Ukraine’s Armed Forces to manoeuvre past Russian air defences to target enemy positions and armoured vehicles.

So far, the Drone Capability Coalition’s Common Fund has raised around £73 million from partners including Denmark, Netherlands, Latvia and Sweden, with the UK’s total investment sitting at £15 million to date.

At the same time, the Government also revealed that more than £190 million of extra funding has been committed to the UK-administered International Fund for Ukraine by allies and partners, with Portugal and Germany contributing for the first time.

The funding includes £67 million from Denmark for drones, air defence systems and training equipment, £43 million from Portugal for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones, and £20 million from Sweden to fund the repair of Archer self-propelled artillery systems

“I am proud of the UK’s leadership in supporting Ukraine. From heading coalitions which are delivering essential equipment alongside allies, to training recruits, we’re standing strong with Ukraine against Putin’s aggression,” said Healey.

“Our commitment to provide £3 billion a year of military aid for as long as it takes will ensure Ukraine can defend themselves and is essential to protect the security of the UK – because the defence of the UK starts in Ukraine.”

The use of emerging tech on Ukraine’s battlefields is becoming the subject of hot debate, with the UK Parliament’s Defence Committee today publishing its Developing AI capacity and expertise in UK defence report, which argues that AI in particular is already delivering military advantage. 

However, the committee goes on to call out the MoD for treating AI as a ‘novelty’, rather than a core part of the country’s future defence toolkit, saying that the ministry should look to become an AI native organisation. 

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According to the report, the MoD should look to identify gaps in the UK’s AI defence sector, including in digital infrastructure, data management and the AI skills base, provide clear signals to industry on the type of AI the department is interested in acquiring, and begin to work with smaller and non-traditional defence suppliers.

“Artificial intelligence in defence is here to stay – the UK must move fast to avoid falling behind,” said Emma Lewell-Buck MP, chair of the Sub-Committee on Developing AI capacity and expertise in UK Defence.

“While the department acknowledges the importance of AI, these words have not been borne out by action. With the global threat picture ever-worsening, and the pace of technological change moving at a rapid speed, the Ministry of Defence has no time to lose.”