UK signs £283million deal to supply more than 5,000 air defence missiles to Ukraine

More than 5,000 British-made air defence missiles will be delivered to Ukraine as part of a landmark defence deal worth £283 million, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced. The agreement – described by ministers as the largest UK export credit agency-backed deal in Ukraine – will be formally signed at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), with Ms Rayner accompanied by Minister for Exports Gareth Thomas.

Two hundred skilled jobs will be created and another 700 safeguarded at Thales in Belfast under the terms of the deal, which is backed by a £2.5 billion UK Export Finance (UKEF) guarantee and a 19-year financing agreement. The missile package is seen as a major boost both to Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and the UK’s own defence industrial base. Ms Rayner said: “As we continue to witness the enduring strength of the Ukrainian people, the UK stands by their side to provide the assistance their country needs to not only stay in the fight, but to rebuild and recover.

“This announcement underlines our continued support for Ukraine – boosting their air defences against devastating drone and missile attacks and supporting the critical work to reconstruct this nation and provide the hope that they need.

“This will also provide skilled jobs in the UK and is all part of our Plan for Change – bolstering the UK defence industry and strengthening our international ties.”

Mr Thomas added: “This landmark agreement is a powerful example of how British expertise is supporting Ukraine’s defence and recovery while creating high-quality jobs at home.

“By unlocking UKEF-backed finance, we’re enabling the delivery of vital equipment to Ukraine and strengthening our own defence industrial base.

“It’s a clear demonstration of our Plan for Change in action — backing British business, boosting exports, and standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.”

The £283 million figure is part of the UK’s wider bilateral assistance package for the 2025–2026 financial year. The funding is intended to support a range of sectors inside Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion, including humanitarian aid, energy infrastructure, stabilisation, reform and reconstruction.

In addition, the UK will provide up to £10.5 million for the Governance Reform Programme—which focuses on rule of law, justice, and anti-corruption—and a further £1 million to support Ukraine’s Green Transition Office, helping the country pursue a modern, low-carbon future.

British International Investment (BII) will also confirm a €30 million loan to Ukrainian agribusiness MHP, which employs more than 30,000 people across the country.

The funding aims to safeguard jobs and maintain resilience in Ukraine’s food and agriculture sector. MHP, Ukraine’s largest poultry and processed meat producer, exports to more than 70 countries, and over 40% of its workforce is female.

Meanwhile, the UK will endorse Ukraine’s new business insurance scheme, designed to make insurance more accessible and affordable for firms – including British companies – looking to invest in the war-torn country.

The initiative is aimed at reducing the risk to commercial operations and encouraging longer-term economic recovery.

A government spokesperson said the UK was “committed to supporting Ukraine win the war and the peace, emerging as a stronger, more prosperous and free nation, resilient to Russian threats”.

They added: “Our 100 Year Partnership, alongside the commitments made at URC, reaffirm the UK’s iron-clad support for Ukraine now and into the future.”

The total UK commitment to Ukraine now stands at £18.3 billion, including £13 billion in military support and £5.3 billion in non-military assistance.