- The UK has revealed for the first time its maintenance,
repair and overhaul facilities in Ukraine.
- UK Defence Minister meets staff getting battle-damaged
fighting vehicles back to the frontline faster.
- Largest ever UK-led international trade mission with a record
35 British firms.
The UK has revealed for the first time its maintenance, repair
and overhaul systems (MRO) facilities in Ukraine, with four
operational and a fifth planned.
Operated under MOD contracts by UK companies with British and
Ukrainian workforces, these facilities repair armoured vehicles
and equipment – including UK-gifted CVR-T armoured vehicles,
Husky support vehicles, L119 light guns and former Soviet-era
kit, returning them to Ukrainian forces faster. It includes all
AS-90 artillery systems donated by the UK, and our collaboration
with Swedish partners means we are also able to support the
Swedish Archer artillery systems.
The UK has been working since Russia's illegal full-scale
invasion in 2022 to establish engineering sites in Ukraine,
operated under MOD contracts by UK companies with a skilled UK
and Ukrainian workforce.
Locating these facilities in Ukraine ensures that armoured
vehicles and equipment are repaired quickly and returned to
Ukrainian forces faster, bolstering Ukraine's Armed Forces –
providing highly-skilled, well-paid jobs for Ukrainians.
British engineers are on the ground in Ukraine, working
side-by-side with Ukrainian counterparts to service and repair
military vehicles. Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry,
, visited one of the sites in
Ukraine this week, speaking with those working around the clock
to help keep Ukraine in the fight.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, MP, said:
“While the world's attention is focussed on conflict across the
Middle East, the UK is standing firmer with our friends in
Ukraine. Visits to Ukraine have always been deeply poignant for
me - the UK will never waver in our support for Ukraine and we
are clear that Ukraine's security is Britain's security.
“From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with
Ukraine. Our pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine's
defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin's brutal attacks,
and British firms are boosting long term industrial production in
Ukraine and partnering with Ukrainian companies to benefit both
our nations.”
As part of his visit, Defence Minister Pollard led the seventh
Trade Mission to Ukraine, the largest in the series, with five
international partners, over 80 delegates and 55 companies –
including a record 35 British firms.
This highlights the UK's continued support for Ukraine as the
Minister met with Ukrainian counterparts as well as UK and
international partners' defence industry leaders in Kyiv.
The UK and Ukraine signed an agreement for the latest project
under Programme Lyra, the unique UK/Ukraine technology exchange
agreed by the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy in June
2025. An agreement was also signed that will see the UK and
Ukraine collaborating on sophisticated UK electronic warfare
technology, combining it with Ukrainian platforms to improve
Ukraine's military capability.
The trade mission marks the UK's move to a permanent presence to
support UK industry in Ukraine. It was the largest mission of the
series, with the UK welcoming five international partners
including Estonia, Finland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, over
80 delegates and 55 companies. This number included a record 35
UK companies from primes to SMEs, offering a range of innovative
solutions. Discussions at the Trade Mission around inward
investment and mobilising private capital will further strengthen
our ability to support Ukraine.
The trade missions have successfully deepened ties between
British companies and their Ukrainian counterparts, securing
contracts and helping build lasting sovereign production in
Ukraine. That success has been underpinned by significant growth
which will be supported by a new British Business Centre opening
in Kyiv.
Since Russia's illegal full-scale invasion in February 2022, the
UK has committed over £21.8 billion for Ukraine, making the UK
one of Ukraine's largest bilateral donors.
