Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Kingdom, Vadym Prystaiko, indicated that Kyiv will receive a larger shipment of advanced weaponry from London than previously announced. He stated that the next batch will include 28 Challenger 2 tanks, double the initially pledged 14, and 33 AS-90 155mm self-propelled artillery mounts, up from the 24 originally promised. This information was reported by Ukrainian media outlets tracking defense support from the United Kingdom.
According to Prystaiko, the upgrade means Kyiv will benefit from a total of 28 Challenger 2 tanks instead of the 14 that had been publicly outlined earlier, and 33 AS-90 howitzers rather than 24. These figures reflect a significant expansion of the UK’s military assistance to Ukraine in its ongoing defense efforts.
Prystaiko also noted that Ukraine is actively exploring opportunities to procure additional weapons, with a particular focus on aircraft. He added that requests for weapons and ammunition have been submitted by Ukraine to all NATO member countries, underscoring a broad international effort to support Kyiv’s security needs.
Earlier, British officials had confirmed the delivery of 14 Challenger 2 tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In a subsequent interview, Prystaiko remarked that Kyiv expects to receive more Western aircraft at a later stage of the conflict, signaling a continuing evolution in the support package as the situation develops.
Analysts and defense commentators observe that these developments illustrate how alliance partners are recalibrating their aid to address Ukraine’s evolving defense requirements. The emphasis on higher-capacity armored vehicles and larger-caliber artillery highlights a strategic shift toward strengthening frontline resilience, while conversations about future aircraft indicate an ongoing assessment of Ukraine’s longer-term readiness and interoperability with Western military systems.