UK allocates over €100 million "winter" air defence package for Ukraine, including Patriot missiles

The United Kingdom is providing £100 million (around €116 million) for an air defence package for Ukraine ahead of winter, including Patriot missiles. The weapons will be supplied through the PURL mechanism, a US-NATO initiative under which European NATO allies purchase American weapons for Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing the UK government

Details: As part of the new package, the UK will provide air defence interceptors, large-calibre artillery shells and drones to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian attacks this winter.

The weapons will be supplied through the PURL mechanism, under which Ukraine's allies purchase US weapons for its needs.

The Patriot missiles and other air defence equipment will be delivered to Ukraine before winter sets in, helping it protect critical national infrastructure, civilians and its armed forces from Russian attacks.

The aid announcement follows visits to Kyiv by the UK prime minister and defence secretary, who heard from the Ukrainian president about the importance of additional support ahead of winter.

"Both the Prime Minister and I heard loud and clear on our first visits to Kyiv the importance of supporting Ukraine through this winter, as Putin prepares to use winter as a weapon by continuing barbaric attacks against civilian and energy targets. We promised to mobilise allies and provide more support wherever we can," Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said.

Background:

• On 8 September, Streeting is chairing his first meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format), the 50-country alliance providing military equipment to Ukraine. The 36th Ramstein meeting is taking place remotely, co-chaired by the UK and German defence ministers.
• On 7 September, an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of permanent representatives took place at NATO headquarters in Brussels, during which Ukraine presented a list of its priority and urgent needs for air and missile defence systems.

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