The Defence and Business Secretaries met with President Zelenskyy
and industry leaders in London on Thursday evening (18 July) to
discuss deeper cooperation and the need to boost industrial
production for Ukraine.
Since Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine, the defence
industry has provided vital equipment and munitions to Ukraine.
The meeting at Lancaster House with President Zelenskyy and
senior representatives from UK Export Finance, BAE Systems,
Thales UK, MBDA, KBR and Babcock came as two of the UK's largest
defence companies, BAE Systems and Babcock International Group
confirmed updated contracts in support of Ukraine.
The developments came during this week's European Political
Community summit, hosted by the Prime Minister , which has seen Ukraine's
President, visit to hold bilateral meetings, alongside his
Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov.
Defence Secretary, , said:
The UK is united for Ukraine. The Ukrainians are fighting with
huge courage, the military and civilians alike. Our new
government has already pledged to step up support, confirming
£3bn a year to help Ukraine and a new package of ammunition,
anti-armour missiles and artillery guns.
Meeting with industry leaders, I emphasised the Government will
continue to work in partnership with industry and the need to
boost industrial production of vital military kit for both
Ukraine and our own Armed Forces.
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, BAE Systems is providing maintenance
and repair for weapons supplied by the UK from a facility in
Ukraine.
Babcock International also announced a six-month extension to its
contract with the MOD to continue to provide the maintenance,
repair and asset management of vehicles.
Whilst this week, the MOD agreed to regenerate the UK's ability
to produce forgings for gun barrels, working in partnership with
Sheffield Forgemasters, supporting the repair and overhaul of
Ukrainian vehicles; this is the first step towards UK sovereign
barrel production which has been developing for 20 years.
UK industry support of this kind will enable Ukraine's armed
forces to get maintain vital equipment, such as L119 Light Guns
and the AS90 self-propelled gun, keeping it in the fight and
repairing battle damaged equipment as quickly as possible.
Kevin Craven, CEO of the Defence trade organisation ADS,
said:
The UK defence industry's support to Ukraine continues and is
unwavering. It is an honour for ADS and our members to work in
such close collaboration with our partners.
Our industries have clear opportunities for collaboration, done
so with the knowledge that we are protecting our collective
security.
These industry announcements follow on from the success of the
outward ADS-led trade mission earlier this month. The robust
pipeline of trade missions have enabled industry, from Primes to
SMEs, to contribute to Ukraine's defence and also to learn from
our allies in their turn.
It is clear that the war in Ukraine has become one of industrial
production. Government and industry are united in our shared
commitment to Ukraine and by working together, we are setting the
building blocks for our 100-year partnership.
Business and Trade Secretary said:
We cannot have economic growth at home, without security and
stability abroad.
The UK has been a steadfast friend and ally to Ukraine and they
deserve our continued unwavering support. That's why we will use
our strong partnership with industry to deliver the military
support essential for the country's defence.
These announcements reaffirm the UK's continued support for
Ukraine. From recommitting to spending £3 billion a year of
military support to the Government's recent commitment to
fast-track deliveries, the UK will stand with Ukraine for as long
as it takes.
