DE&S will work with UK industry to meet Ukraine’s requirements for complex weapons and land systems support, the types of equipment they need the most.

That’s after a UK trade mission, formed of representatives from the Ministry of Defence, Department for Business and Trade, and the defence trade association ADS, visited Ukraine to hold meetings with Ukrainian Government and industry representatives.

It is the latest step in the growing relationship between the UK’s defence industrial sector and Ukraine’s, following the signing of a major agreement in July which will enable Ukraine to harness the power of UK industry by drawing on £3.5 billion worth of export finance to purchase further military capabilities.

The cross-government group, led by the Minister for the Armed Forces, travelled to Kyiv, where the trade mission visited the Ukraine Defence Industrial Forum to take part in a series of meetings and forum discussions. The delegation included our CEO, Andy Start, and Maj Gen Anna-Lee Reilly CB, our Director of Strategic Capability, Engagement and Operations.

Whilst there the minister discussed the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine as long as it takes, the ever-growing relationship between the UK and Ukraine’s defence industry and the government’s pledge to continue to boost investment into our own industry which will in turn support Ukraine’s fight.

Agreements were made with Ukrainian officials on their requirements for complex weapons and land systems support during the event, which provides a signal to UK industry as to the types of equipment they most need and for which the MOD will now contract with UK industry on Ukraine’s behalf.

Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard MP said:

“The UK’s support for Ukraine is ironclad. We continue to lead the way in providing military aid, but our support is much broader than simply providing equipment. Our flourishing defence industrial relationship symbolises the work happening across Government and the private sector to ramp up and speed up our support.”

“By deepening our ties with Ukraine’s defence industry, we are expanding own industrial capacity, while boosting Ukraine’s own capabilities. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we will provide support for as long as it takes.”

Maj Gen Anna-Lee Reilly CB said:

“From the start of the UK’s support for Ukraine we have been at the forefront of ensuring the country has the military equipment it needs to defend itself, working across government departments and the wider defence enterprise to procure both lethal and non-lethal equipment at a rapid pace.

“This trade mission demonstrates our continued support to the Ukrainians in the ongoing defence of their country. As part of wider UK Government and industrial commitment, DE&S is helping the UK build an enduring partnership with Ukraine.

“With our support, British and Ukrainian companies are working together to enhance Ukraine’s defence-industry and increase our collective capacity to deliver mission-winning defence systems, opening up opportunities for the UK defence industry.”

The MOD has already placed contracts with Thales for air defence missiles and Sheffield Forgemasters for artillery gun barrels forgings, in order to warm up industry in preparation for further orders.  Future orders are in the pipeline and will be funded by Ukraine, drawing on their own reserves and the £3.5 billion of United Kingdom export finance made available by the UK to support Ukraine’s war effort.

Task Force HIRST is the UK cross-government team incorporating MOD, DBT and UK Export Finance to stimulate UK industrial production and international collaboration in support of Ukraine, including collaboration with Ukrainian companies.

Last week, the Defence Secretary confirmed the Government is delivering on its commitment to speed up and ramp up deliveries of support for Ukraine, surpassing its pledge to deliver 12 AS90 artillery guns within 100 days of taking office.

A total of 16 units are now on course to be delivered, with 10 already provided, and six more to follow in the coming weeks.

While in Ukraine, Andy Start and Maj Gen Anna-Lee Reilly CB attended the International Defence Industries Forum where they took part in panel discussions on the role and funding of the Ukraine defence industry during wartime.