Defence Ministers are calling on UK industry to accelerate the
development of equipment for the Ukrainian armed forces,
launching a £25 million campaign fund for the design and delivery
of equipment to the country across the coming months.
The competition will be focused on bolstering the existing
provision for artillery, coastal defence and aerial systems.
The Government believes drawing on UK expertise across the
defence industry, including from innovative small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), could provide battle-winning
solutions for the Ukrainian forces.
Defence Procurement Minister, said:
Since Russia’s brutal invasion UK defence suppliers with active
support from MOD and DE&S have taken equipment from desktop
ideas to the front line. This £25m plus fund is designed to
capture ongoing work and support innovative ideas to meet
Ukrainian defence requirements.
Recent months have shown the ingenuity and innovation of the UK
defence sector. We want to ensure ongoing creativity is harnessed
and directed at key requirements and all companies with a
capability that can help are aware of the challenge.
Working closely with industry we have already seen innovative
ideas quickly reaching Theatre. This includes capabilities such
as heavy lift Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and anti-tank
loitering munitions, as well as adapting existing weapons systems
such as integrating Brimstone for use as a ground launched
weapon.
The requirements fall into four categories:
- Artillery - Procurement and manufacturing proposals to
support the resupply of ammunition and the maintenance of Soviet
calibre 152mm and 122mm weapon systems.
- Coastal defence – Supporting the deterrence of hostile naval
forces, persistent surveillance, and delivery of attacks at
range, including from autonomous or remotely-controlled vehicles.
- Military logistics and resupply – Maintenance and development
of infrastructure for supply lines by sea and land, including
waterways, overbridging and general Ukrainian engineering
capability.
- Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) – The provision of UAS
capabilities across a broad spectrum of capabilities, from lethal
effects to surveillance, electronic warfare and heavy lift.
The UK has already committed more than £2.8 billion to support
Ukraine through humanitarian aid and grants, as well as military
kit including 120 armoured vehicles, air defence systems and more
than 6,500 anti-tank missiles.
Industry organisations will need to submit proposals by June
10th, when a sift will take place to access the funding, with at
least £25 million available.
The initial focus is on equipment that can be sourced and
supplied in the next four months, with longer-term capability
development in scope where applicable.
