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UK government announced on further military support to Ukraine for 7.5 million pounds ($9.48 million) to finance new attack and reconnaissance drones.
The money will be invested through the Drone Coalition, which is led by Britain and Latvia, and will be drawn from a 3 billion-pound ($3.7 billion) annual funding pool.
This is in addition to a £120 million ($151.6 million) package for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which finances maritime drones.
Also, as a sign of unity between Britain and its allies, the Drone Coalition will receive an additional £16 million ($20 million) from Germany (£10 million), Canada (£3 million) and Luxembourg (£3 million). These countries have pledged to purchase drones through the Coalition.
UK Defense Secretary John Gealey said Britain has held two competitions with industry to design, develop and purchase new advanced drones, including highly maneuverable FPV drones that can evade Russian defences.
According to the official, the first of these competitions has already been completed, with contracts for the supply of “thousands of FPV drones in the coming months.” The second competition is still open for participation – in addition to FPV drones, it also concerns UAV interceptors for the destruction of attack drones and ammunition.
Gili noted that Ukraine continues to demonstrate the effectiveness of drones on the battlefield – and using inexpensive drones to destroy hundreds of more expensive Russian tanks and vehicles. In addition, the official added, the Ukrainians, using reconnaissance drones, “very successfully” use their artillery to destroy positions with Russian artillery.
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Questions for Guest 1:
1. What is your perspective on the UK government’s decision to provide additional military support to Ukraine in the form of attack and reconnaissance drones?
2. How do you see the role of drones in modern warfare, and what impact do you think their increasing use will have on international relations and security?
3. Can you share any insights on the effectiveness of drones in Ukraine’s defense strategy against the Russian invasion? What specific tactics or operations have been successful?
4. As the use of drones in warfare continues to evolve, what challenges do you foresee in terms of regulation and ensuring their responsible use?
5. How do you think the involvement of other countries in the Drone Coalition, including Germany, Canada, and Luxembourg, will strengthen the UK’s efforts to support Ukraine’s defense?
Questions for Guest 2:
1. As the UK Defense Secretary, what was the thought process behind the decision to invest in advanced drones for Ukraine’s defense? Can you elaborate on the military capabilities of these drones and how they’ll contribute to the ongoing conflict?
2. How is the UK working with industry to develop and procure these advanced drones, and what role has collaboration with other countries, such as the US and France, played in this effort?
3. What are some of the specific challenges that still need to be addressed in relation to Ukraine’s use of drones, both in terms of technology and strategy?
4. Given the success of drones in the conflict thus far, do you think this investment will be a game-changer for Ukraine’s defense, or is there a need for additional support in other areas as well?
5. How does the UK plan to further support Ukraine’s efforts to defend against Russian aggression in the long term, beyond the use of drones and other military aid?