The UK will lead a new Maritime Capability Coalition
alongside Norway, delivering ships and vehicles to strengthen
Ukraine’s ability to operate at sea.
Defence Secretary will today confirm Ukraine’s
procurement of two Royal Navy minehunter ships for the Ukrainian
Navy.
New coalition will deliver long-term support to Ukraine,
including training, equipment, and infrastructure to bolster
security in the Black Sea.
Two Royal Navy minehunter ships are being transferred from the
Royal Navy to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in a move to
strengthen Ukraine’s ability to operate at sea.
As the UK and Norway launch a new Maritime Capability Coalition,
Defence Secretary will announce the procurement
of two Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) by
Ukraine through UK Export Finance today in London.
He will be joined by his Norwegian counterpart to jointly launch
the Maritime Capability Coalition. Alongside this new initiative,
the Defence Secretary will confirm further details of UK military
support to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s economy continues to be impacted by Putin’s blockade in
the Black Sea, which has significantly reduced the country’s
ability to move vital exports by sea. Strengthening the AFU’s
maritime capabilities, in particular countering the threat from
Russian sea mines, will help restore Ukraine’s maritime exports.
This builds on the UK Foreign Secretary’s visit to Ukraine last
month where he welcomed the launch of the new
‘Unity Facility’ between UK company Marsh McLennan and
the Ukrainian Government, which will provide affordable
shipping insurance for grain and other critical food
supplies globally from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, actively
support international efforts to alleviate the global food
crisis.
The new Maritime Capability Coalition will build the support that
the UK, Norway, and others are providing to Ukraine. This will be
long term to help Ukraine transform its navy, making it more
compatible with western allies, more interoperable with NATO, and
bolstering security in the Black Sea.
Defence Secretary
said:
“These minehunters will deliver vital capability to Ukraine which
will help save lives at sea and open up vital export routes,
which have been severely limited since Putin launched his illegal
full-scale invasion.
“This capability boost marks the beginning of a new dedicated
effort by the UK, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine’s
maritime capabilities over the long term, enhancing their ability
to operate in defending their sovereign waters and bolstering
security in the Black Sea.
“As an island nation with a proud maritime history, the UK and
Royal Navy are particularly well-placed to support this
endeavour, which will form part of a series of new coalitions
formed between allies to ensure an enduring military commitment
in support of Ukraine.”
The new maritime coalition will work closely with the Ukrainian
Navy and Ministry of Defence to develop a number of capabilities,
including the rapid development of a maritime force in the Black
Sea, continuing to develop a Ukrainian Marine Corps, and river
patrol craft to defend coastal and inland waterways.
Agreed during recent meetings of the 50-nation strong Ukraine
Defence Contact Group, it forms part of a series of Capability
Coalitions to strengthen Ukraine’s operations in other domains
including on land and in the air.
The UK and
Norway, together with other international partners, have already
helped train hundreds of Ukrainian marines and aim to build
on this work.
The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have emphasised the UK’s
unwavering support for Ukraine, with £4.6bn in military support
allocated since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, and more
than 52,000 Ukrainian troops trained since Russia first invaded
Crimea in 2014.
