UK’s Ministry of Defence signs £90m contracts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence

“These include a £56 million counter-uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) contract with Norwegian defence company Kongsberg and two further contracts to provide further air defence capabilities,” reads the statement by the UK Government.

The contract with Kongsberg will purchase vehicle-mounted counter-drone systems to detect, track, destroy or disrupt UAS.

“The CORTEX Typhon system is designed to be operated by as few as two users, and can be rapidly deployed and repositioned to maximise its operational effectiveness,” the Ministry of Defence notes.

The system can operate individually, or as part of an integrated network to physically destroy or disrupt drones.

“These air defence systems have the capability and flexibility to be rapidly deployed to either protect Ukraine’s civilian population and infrastructure, or be put to use on the frontline,” Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said.

As noted, the contracts come as a new delivery of aerial reconnaissance drones arrives in Ukraine, designed to carry out both land and sea-based reconnaissance missions. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have already begun training on the systems, which will form a package of more than 100 drones.

The International Fund for Ukraine (IFU) was established by the UK and international partners to find and purchase critical assets and quickly deliver them to Ukraine. More than £770 million has been raised through the IFU thanks to contributions from the UK, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Lithuania.