The UK and allies have deepened industry ties with Ukraine by
leading a first-of-its-kind international defence trade mission
to Kyiv this week.
Led by the Minister for the Armed Forces, the trade delegation,
which included Norway and The Netherlands, met with Ukrainian
ministers, officials, and industry partners to strengthen
strategic partnerships and enhance defence cooperation in support
of Ukraine.
This was the fifth trade mission to Ukraine by Britain's Task
Force HIRST, but the first in conjunction with allies, setting a
blueprint for future trade missions to be international as the
norm.
Following the visit, UK companies have agreed to work more
closely with Ukrainian partners, agreeing to new commitments that
will build on previous agreements and boost their capabilities.
Despite a significant Russian airstrike targeting Kyiv on
Wednesday morning this week, which killed one innocent civilian,
the trade mission went ahead successfully, highlighting that the
UK and our Allies will not be intimidated by Putin's brutal
tactics.
With firms across the UK ramping up defence production to meet
Ukraine's requirements, support for Ukraine will directly boost
the UK defence sector, create UK jobs, and deliver on this
Government's growth agenda and Plan for Change.
Minister for the Armed Forces, MP said:
"The UK is continuing to lead the way on global support for
Ukraine. By strengthening defence industry ties with allies, we
are providing Ukraine with the firepower it needs on the
battlefield, whilst bolstering our own defence industrial base
—creating jobs and driving investment.
“Our partnerships with The Netherlands, Norway, and Ukraine will
help build resilient supply chains to ensure we put Ukraine in
the strongest possible position to achieve a just and lasting
peace through strength.
"We will stand with our allies to support Ukraine for as long as
it takes."
The Minister, along with officials from the Ministry of Defence
and Department for Business and Trade, attended meetings focused
on continuing to develop the industrial relationship with
Ukraine, boosting their capabilities on the battlefield, whilst
supporting growth back in the UK.
The Ministry of Defence set up Task Force HIRST to drive
increases in UK, Ukrainian and allies' industrial capacity to
support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as national military
resilience.
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS said:
“Our continued industrial partnership with the Ukraine will be
pivotal if we are to strengthen our collective security. It is an
honour for ADS and our members to work in such close
collaboration with Ukraine.
“UK support to Ukraine has, at its heart, the knowledge that
helping Ukraine is protecting our values and way of life.”
The visit coincided with the NATO meeting of defence ministers,
where the Defence Secretary announced a new £150 million package
of military aid to Ukraine.
The £150 million package includes thousands of drones, dozens of
battle tanks and more than 50 armoured and protective vehicles to
be deployed to Ukraine by the end of spring, building on the
thousands of pieces of equipment the UK has already given to
Ukraine.
In a boost to the UK's economy, the package also includes
a multi-million-pound contract with UK defence firm Babcock, who
will train Ukrainian personnel to maintain and repair crucial
equipment such as Challenger 2 tanks, self-propelled artillery,
and combat reconnaissance vehicles inside Ukraine. Through this
agreement, equipment can be serviced and returned to the
frontline quicker.
This is part of the UK's unprecedented £4.5 billion pledge for
Ukraine this year, its highest-ever level.
The Government is clear that the security of the UK starts in
Ukraine and is therefore committed to Ukraine's long-term
security as a foundation for the government's Plan for Change.
