British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a new £1.6 billion ($2 billion) deal on Sunday, enabling Ukraine to purchase 5,000 air-defense missiles using export finance.
This significant move aims to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities amidst ongoing tensions with Russia.
The missiles, manufactured by Thales, boast a range of over six kilometers (3.7 miles) and can be launched from various land, sea, and air platforms.
According to Starmer, “This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now and strengthening Ukraine in securing the peace when it comes.”
The announcement comes on the heels of a significant escalation in hostilities, with Russia launching over 200 drones in a single overnight attack last week – the largest such assault since the war began three years ago.