UK sends bomb de-activating kits to Ukraine, vows more aid
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This comes after it was reported that the UK intends to increase defense spending by around 1.5 billion pounds ($1.8 billion) in view of the war in Ukraine.
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Ukrainian and UK armies (gov.uk)
The UK's Defense Ministry confirmed on Friday that over 1,000 metal detectors and 100 bomb de-activating kits were shipped to Ukraine in the most recent latest military aid package in 2022.
"The UK has donated more than 1,000 VALLON metal detectors and 100 bomb de-arming kits to Ukraine to help clear minefields and make safe reclaimed territory, civilian homes, and infrastructure," the Ministry said on its website, adding that this package was the latest "that the UK has been providing Ukraine throughout 2022 and which will continue in 2023."
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It was also stated that 1,000 air anti-air missiles and 125 anti-aircraft guns were transferred to Ukraine's armed force after the Royal Air Force flew out over 240 flights to deliver "thousands of tonnes of military aid from the UK and international partners" in 2022.
The statement also added that more than 11,000 Ukrainian soldiers throughout this year were trained with intentions to train another 20,000 Ukrainian troops in 2023.
Promises for more
These packages have been advocated by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week after he asserted that military aid to Ukraine will continue notwithstanding audit reports of the UK assistance. It is worth noting that the UK is one of the largest suppliers of military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
However, some parts of Whitehall are concerned about the request of audits, because military leaders believe that Ukraine's access to weaponry could be crucial throughout the coming winter.
The Whitehall source said, "Wars aren't won [by dashboards]. Wars are won on instinct. At the start of this, it was Boris (Johnson) sitting down and saying: 'Let's just go for this.' So Rishi needs to channel his inner Boris on foreign policy, though not of course on anything else."
BBC Newsnight revealed this month that the Ukrainian President is aware of the debate within the UK and is encouraging Sunak to maintain strong military support for his country. "President Zelensky has sensed what is going on," the source said.
The UK has been upping its military aid to the Ukrainian forces, becoming the second donor of military aid after the US. So far, the UK has sent 2.3 billion pounds ($2,793,120) of military aid to Ukraine, vowing to provide equal or more payments in 2023.
This comes after The Telegraph newspaper reported that the UK intends to increase defense spending by around 1.5 billion pounds ($1.8 billion) in view of the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, is expected to announce the increase for the fiscal year 2025 in the spring of 2023.
