The UK is preparing to spend “well over £100 million” putting British boots on the ground in Ukraine, but only if Donald Trump manages to secure a peace deal with Russia, Defence Secretary John Healey has confirmed.
Speaking at London’s Mansion House, Healey revealed that Britain has been planning in detail with its Coalition of the Willing allies over the past six months, ready to act if a ceasefire can be brokered.
“Peace is possible,” he said. “And if President Trump can broker a deal, the UK will be ready to help secure that peace for the long term.”
The cost, separate from the £4.5 billion already pledged in military aid to Kyiv, would cover the initial deployment of troops and aircraft, marking a major step in Britain’s readiness to help stabilise Ukraine if the fighting stops.
Starmer’s Government “Ready to Help Secure Peace”
Healey said Prime Minister Keir Starmer is prepared to back a peacekeeping deployment if it supports long-term stability.
“Keir Starmer has said that, if necessary, he’s willing to see UK boots on the ground,” Healey told reporters. “I’ve already accelerated millions of pounds of preparation for any possible deployment.”
It’s a clear signal that the UK is positioning itself as a key player in post-war security efforts, showing both readiness and resolve amid global uncertainty.
New Powers to Shoot Down Drones
Healey also used his Mansion House speech to announce new powers allowing troops and the Ministry of Defence Police to shoot down unidentified drones over British military sites, a move designed to “keep the British people safe”.
“Our legal framework needs overhauling,” he said. “We’re working on new powers that will let us bring down unidentified drones flying over UK military bases.”
The powers will form part of the upcoming Armed Forces Bill, giving the military a “kinetic option” against airborne threats in extreme circumstances.
The announcement follows multiple drone incursions last year over bases used by US forces, including RAF Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Feltwell. Across Europe, similar sightings have put defence chiefs on alert, with Polish F-16s recently shooting down 19 drones that crossed their border.
Europe on High Alert
In September, the UK deployed counter-drone experts to Denmark, equipped with advanced systems to detect, track, and destroy hostile aircraft. Around 60 RAF personnel were also tasked with investigating drone activity over British bases.
No country has admitted to flying the drones, though suspicions remain high over Russian involvement. Moscow has denied any link to drones spotted over Denmark, Poland, Estonia, and Romania, despite launching more than 3,000 attack drones into Ukraine in October alone.
European leaders are now backing plans for a “drone wall”, a coordinated defence shield across NATO’s eastern flank to counter the growing threat.
“We’ll Do What’s Needed to Keep Britain Safe”
Closing his Mansion House address, Healey stressed that the UK’s top priority remains national defence.
“Here at home, we continue to defend ourselves daily from threats from the seabed to cyberspace,” he said. “We will always do what’s needed to keep the British people safe.”
With new laws to shoot down drones and the potential to deploy British troops to Ukraine, the UK’s message is unmistakable: ready for peace, but prepared for anything.
