Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed the allocation of £200 million this year to prepare the UK Armed Forces to deploy as part of the Multinational Force for Ukraine. The announcement was made during a visit to Ukraine and is presented as capital spending drawn from the core defence budget.
Officials say the funding follows a declaration of intent signed in Paris by the leaders of the UK, France and Ukraine. That document confirms that UK and French troops would deploy to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, providing long‑term security guarantees to underpin any settlement.
The £200 million will fund readiness measures for any MNFU deployment, including vehicle upgrades, modernised communications, counter‑drone protection and additional force‑protection equipment. The aim, according to the Ministry of Defence, is to ensure troops are ready to deploy at short notice if required.
Ministers present the decision as a signal of the UK’s intent to lead the MNFU and to deliver what they describe as a ‘new deal’ for European security. The Government argues that strengthening Ukraine’s security directly contributes to the UK’s own security posture.
John Healey said the UK is stepping up preparations as the war approaches its fifth year, with the Armed Forces expected to be ready to deploy and lead the MNFU if called upon. He added that the UK is increasing air‑defence support to Ukraine while supporting British industry, jobs and innovation.
During the visit, the Defence Secretary discussed MNFU planning with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior Ukrainian officials. He travelled alongside the most senior UK general assigned to the MNFU headquarters, which the Government says is already operational in Paris.
Healey also confirmed that production of British‑built Octopus interceptor drones will begin this month. Developed by Ukrainian engineers and refined by UK industry, the interceptors use frontline battlefield data to defeat Shahed‑style drones aimed at homes, hospitals and power infrastructure.
The UK intends to produce thousands of Octopus interceptors per month. Officials say each unit costs less than ten per cent of the price of the drone it targets, offering a scalable way to defend Ukrainian airspace. The design is updated roughly every six weeks to adapt to Russian tactics.
The Octopus programme builds on the UK’s commitment to invest £600 million in air defence for Ukraine this year, within a wider £4.5 billion military support package. Under the UK–Ukraine 100‑Year Partnership, live battlefield data feeds directly into UK production lines to speed upgrades and deliveries.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the programme will support high‑skilled jobs across the country and tie defence industrial output to immediate operational needs. Taken together, the readiness funding and air‑defence production are intended to reinforce long‑term security guarantees for Ukraine and Europe.