Germany, UK, and Ukraine Announce New Defence Packages and Joint Drone Projects After UDCG Meeting in Brussels
#BorisPistorius #JohnHealey #DenysShmyhal
At a joint press conference in Brussels on 15 October 2025, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, and UK Defence Secretary John Healey outlined major new defence commitments to strengthen Ukraine’s military resilience ahead of winter, deepen defence industrial cooperation, and reaffirm Allied unity against ongoing Russian aggression.
Pistorius opened the conference by confirming that Germany will maintain around €9 billion in support for Ukraine this year, including a new €2 billion package of missile defence systems, radar technology, and ammunition. He emphasised that air defence remains the core of Germany’s support, along with €400 million for long-range drones capable of striking Russian logistics networks. Pistorius revealed that Russian fuel shortages show Ukraine’s strikes are already disrupting Moscow’s war effort.
Highlighting the newly signed Germany–Ukraine Defence Industry Cooperation Memorandum, Pistorius said Berlin and Kyiv will intensify joint work on research, technology, logistics, and training. A modernisation programme will also upgrade tanks and infantry fighting vehicles already in Ukraine’s arsenal, bringing them up to new combat standards while expanding production and maintenance capacity on Ukrainian territory. “We continue to stand firmly by Ukraine,” Pistorius declared.
UK Defence Secretary John Healey followed with a message of determination: “Over 50 nations came together today — a powerful demonstration of enduring support for Ukraine and its fight.” Healey said the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), co-chaired by Germany and the UK, has now secured over £50 billion in military aid pledges. He confirmed that the UK is providing record military assistance this year, including 85,000 drones delivered to Ukraine in six months.
Healey announced a new UK–Ukraine industrial partnership to develop and mass-produce next-generation interceptor drones, to be supplied “in the thousands each month.” He also unveiled 92 new UK sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and military supply sectors, reinforcing pressure on the Kremlin. “A secure Europe needs a strong Ukraine,” Healey said, warning that NATO will act decisively if threatened by Russian aggression.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked both leaders for their co-leadership of the UDCG and detailed Ukraine’s next-phase requirements. He praised the PEARL Initiative — NATO’s Priority Ukraine Requirements List — as a key tool converting Allied funding into battlefield capability, noting fresh contributions from Sweden, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Norway, and Slovenia, and more pledges announced during the day.
Shmyhal revealed that Ukraine aims to produce up to 20 million drones by 2026, calling them “cost-efficient, fast, and combat-proven.” He signed additional agreements with Germany and praised the Nordic-Baltic Initiative to train Ukrainian brigades in Poland. Addressing Russia’s intensifying winter campaign, Shmyhal appealed for a “Winter Air Defence Package” — a surge in interceptors for Patriot, IRIS-T, NASAMS, and F-16 systems — after recent Russian missile strikes knocked out power in half of Kyiv.
Looking ahead, he reaffirmed that Ukraine’s 2026 defence needs total $120 billion, with Kyiv funding half from its own resources. Shmyhal called on all Allies to allocate 0.25% of GDP to cover the remaining $60 billion, and urged that frozen Russian assets be used to finance Ukraine’s defence through the new reparation-loan mechanism.
He concluded: “Peace in Ukraine must be just, lasting, and protected by international unity. Supporting Ukraine’s defence means protecting Europe’s future.”
0:22 Boris Pistorius – “Germany Will Stand Firm: €9 Billion and New Defence Industry Pact with Ukraine”
4:00 John Healey – “A Secure Europe Needs a Strong Ukraine: UK Delivers 85,000 Drones and £50 Billion Aid”
7:03 Denys Shmyhal – “Ukraine’s Call to Allies: 0.25% GDP Pledge and 20 Million Drones by 2026”
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