UK announces new funding to prepare troops for potential Ukraine deployment

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The UK government has allocated £200 million ($268 million) to prepare British armed forces for a potential deployment to Ukraine as part of a new Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNFU), Defense Secretary John Healey announced during a visit to Kyiv.

The funding will be used this year to upgrade vehicles, communications systems, counter-drone technology, and other force-protection equipment, ensuring UK troops are ready to deploy if required following a future peace deal.

The move follows a declaration of intent signed this week in Paris by the leaders of the UK, France and Ukraine, confirming that British and French troops would deploy to Ukraine in the event of an agreement to end the war.

The government said £200 million would come from the core defense budget and was intended to signal the UK’s commitment to leading the MNFU and supporting long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.

"As we approach the fifth year of Putin’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage – civilians and military alike," John Healey said in a statement on Friday.

“We are surging investment into our preparations following the prime minister’s announcement this week, ensuring that Britain’s Armed Forces are ready to deploy and lead the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK,” he added.

“As we look towards a potential peace deal, we continue to step up for Ukraine in the fight today – strengthening its air defenses while backing British industry, jobs, and innovation at home.”

He also confirmed that production of British-built Octopus interceptor drones would begin this month.

The drones, developed by Ukrainian engineers and refined by British industry, are designed to counter Shahed-style drones used in attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.

The UK aims to produce thousands of the low-cost interceptors each month and send them to Ukraine to bolster its air defenses against further Russian drone attacks.