Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry met with Ukrainian counterparts
and UK defence industry leaders in Ukraine in recent days to
initiate negotiations for contracts under the Defence Export
Support Treaty, signed during President Zelenskyy's visit to the
UK two weeks ago.
The treaty, signed by Defence Secretary and Ukrainian Defence Minister
Rustem Umerov on 19 July, will enable Ukraine to draw on £3.5
billion of export finance to acquire military equipment from UK
companies. This will help to boost both the UK's and Ukraine's
defence industrial bases and support investment in further
military capabilities.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry said:
“The UK stands united with Ukraine. Our government has already
pledged to step up support, confirming £3bn a year to support
Ukraine and a new package of crucial ammunition, anti-armour
missiles and artillery guns.
“My visit is another demonstration of our commitment to work in
partnership with industry to boost production of essential
military kit, both for Ukraine and to replenish UK stocks.”
The Minister met with Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Strategic
Industries for European Integration, Serhiy Boyev, and the
Ukrainian National Armaments Director, Oleksandr Serhii, and
toured UK industrial facilities in Ukraine, seeing first-hand how
the UK is enhancing Ukraine's industrial capacity.
The Minister's visit comes just weeks after she and the Defence
and Business Secretaries met with President Zelenskyy and
industry leaders in London. From industrial sites at home, to
facilities in Ukraine, the UK defence industry has been providing
critical equipment to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Working with local partners, UK firms are providing maintenance
and repair for UK-supplied weapons and helping to get vehicles
and equipment back onto operations from facilities in
Ukraine.
From recommitting to spending £3 billion a year of military
support to the Government's recent commitment to fast-track
deliveries, the UK continues to stand with Ukraine.
