UK-Ukraine Defence Collaboration Strengthened Through Key Agreements

The UK Government and the UK defence industry have successfully conducted their inaugural trade mission to Ukraine, bolstering defence cooperation between the two nations.

The trade mission, led by the Department for Business and Trade and the Ministry of Defence, occurred on 13-14 December, marking a crucial step in enhancing Ukraine's defences and strengthening trade links between the two countries.

The initiative builds upon the sustained support provided by the UK to Ukraine's defence since the invasion by Russian forces in 2014. Discussions initiated at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London in September paved the way for potential partnerships between UK and Ukrainian defence and security companies.

The trade mission, opened by Ukrainian Defence Minister Umerov, facilitated meetings between UK and Ukrainian government officials and key stakeholders from both industries. These discussions focused on long-term cooperation opportunities, resulting in several agreements being signed to reinforce defence collaboration.

Key agreements include:

Babcock Contract: Babcock has been awarded a three-year contract by the Ukraine Ministry of Defence to support and maintain two mine countermeasures vessels, 'Cherkasy' and 'Chernihiv,' for the Navy of Ukraine. This follows the establishment of Babcock Ukraine, with a dedicated team focusing on supporting Ukraine and industry partners.

BAE Systems and AMS Integrated Solutions Ltd: BAE Systems and AMS signed an agreement to offer specialized artillery systems support directly to the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Ukraine. The agreement allows for the repair and maintenance of artillery systems donated by the UK Government in AMS' existing maintenance centres in Ukraine.

Thales and Aerodrone: Thales signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ukrainian Unmanned Aerial Systems business, Aerodrone, aiming to deliver new capabilities for Ukraine's Armed Forces by combining the engineering expertise of both Ukrainian and Northern Irish entities.

The trade mission underscores the UK's commitment to aiding Ukraine in rebuilding its defence industrial base. It also aligns with Ukraine's interest in establishing partnerships with Western defence companies, contributing to the country's military hardware production capabilities.

The total trade in goods and services between the UK and Ukraine amounted to £1.5 billion in the four quarters leading up to the end of Q2 2023. The increase in trade is anticipated to create job opportunities in both countries, supporting Ukraine's recovery and resilience efforts.

Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, emphasized the mission as a testament to the unwavering support provided to Ukraine, while Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani highlighted the significant collaboration opportunities between the defence sectors of both nations.

The participating businesses included BAE Systems, Babcock, Thales, AMS Global, and KBR. Future trade missions in 2024 will extend opportunities for additional UK defence companies to engage in collaborative efforts with Ukraine.