Britain pledged another �1 billion ($1.2 billion) in military aid to Ukraine Wednesday to help it fend off Russia's invasion, including air-defence systems and drones.

The fresh funds will bring Britain's total military support to Kyiv since the start of the war in late February to �2.3 billion, Downing Street said in a statement.

The package includes "sophisticated air-defence systems, uncrewed aerial vehicles, innovative new electronic warfare equipment and thousands of pieces of vital kit for Ukrainian soldiers," it said.

This will be a "first step" to allow Ukraine to go beyond its "valiant defence" efforts and move towards "mounting offensive operations" to regain territory.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Vladimir Putin's attacks against Ukraine were "increasingly barbaric" as the Russian leader "fails to make the gains he had anticipated and hoped for and the futility of this war becomes clear to all.

"UK weapons, equipment and training are transforming Ukraine's defences against this onslaught," the statement quoted him as saying.

"And we will continue to stand squarely behind the Ukrainian people to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine."

Britain was one of the first nations to provide Ukraine with lethal military aid such as anti-tank missiles in response to Russia's invasion. It has also been involved in training Ukrainian soldiers.

Norway to send rocket launchers to Ukraine
Oslo (AFP) June 29, 2022 - Norway said Wednesday it would donate three multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine, following similar decisions made by Britain, Germany and the United States.

Kyiv, whose forces are struggling to defend the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, has repeatedly called on its allies to provide more heavy weaponry.

"We must continue to support Ukraine so that they can continue their fight for freedom and independence," Norwegian Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said in a statement.

The delivery of the multiple launch rocket system, which has better range and precision than Russia's artillery, will be carried out together with Britain, Oslo said.

"Our guns require extensive upgrading, therefore we have agreed with the British that they receive Norwegian guns so that they can send some of theirs to Ukraine," the minister said, hailing "good cooperation between allies."

Norway will also send 5,000 additional grenades to Ukraine, in addition to 5,000 already sent.

The US announced on June 1 that it would send four M142 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine as part of a military aid package worth $700 million.

In addition, Britain and Germany have each offered to send Ukraine three MLRS systems.

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Johnson urges NATO allies to boost military spending
Madrid (AFP) June 28, 2022
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will urge his NATO allies at a summit in Madrid to boost their defence spending in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, his office said Tuesday. After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, NATO member states pledged to spend at least 2.0 percent of their gross domestic product on defence to ensure the readiness of the alliance by 2024. Only eight of NATO's 30 members met or surpassed this target in 2021, but a number of nations such as Germany and Italy have bo ... read more