Britain will send hundreds of new long-range attack drones with a range of more than 200km to Ukraine, the government announced today, after Ukrainian President Zelensky arrived for talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the prime minister’s country house in Checkers, north-west London.

“Today the Prime Minister will confirm further provision from the United Kingdom hundreds of air defense missiles and more unmanned air defense systems, including hundreds of offensive drones with a range of more than 200 kilometers”, says the government today in a statement.

“These will be delivered in the coming months as the Ukraine is preparing to strengthen its resistance to the ongoing Russian invasion,” it added.

His visit Zelensky in London is part of his tour of a number of European countries, key allies of Ukraine, in anticipation of an expected full-scale Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian forces.

“Today-London. The UK is a leader in expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air. This partnership will continue today. I will meet my friend Rishi. We will have substantive negotiations in person and with representatives,” the Ukrainian president wrote on his Twitter page.

“This is a critical moment for the Ukrainian resistance to this terrible war. They need the continued support of the international community to defend themselves against the barrage of incessant and indiscriminate attacks that have become their daily reality for over a year now,” said Sunak in his statement.

Zelensky already met with German and French leaders as well as Italian officials over the weekend in an effort to secure military and financial aid for Ukraine.

Last week, Britain became the first country to begin supplying Ukraine with long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, which will allow Ukrainian forces to target the Russian military.

The Storm Shadows, which are manufactured by European missile company MBDA, are long-range aircraft-launched missiles designed for attacks against high-value targets such as fortified bunkers and critical infrastructure, according to the company’s website. They have a range of more than 250 kilometers, according to the manufacturer.

After the US, Britain is one of the largest suppliers of military aid to Ukraine and last year contributed $2.9 billion in aid, while in 2023 it is set to provide a similar amount of aid.

In January, Britain announced it would send 14 of its tanks to Ukraine, a commitment followed by other countries, including the US and Germany.