UK Government and UK defence industry conduct their first
trade mission to Ukraine.
Agreements between UK and Ukrainian companies will
enhance resilient defence industrial facilities inside
Ukraine.
Annual UK-Ukraine goods and services trade amounts to
£1.5 billion.
Ukraine’s defences and UK-Ukraine trade links have been
strengthened by a UK Government-led trade mission to the country.
Led by the Department for Business and Trade and Ministry of
Defence, the joint trade mission took place on 13-14 December and
built on the UK’s sustained and continuous support to Ukraine’s
defence since Putin’s invasion in 2014.
Meetings in Kyiv followed discussions at the Defence and Security
Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London in September
regarding potential partnerships between UK and Ukraine defence
and security companies.
Opened by Ukrainian Defence Minster Umerov, the trade mission
brought together UK and Ukrainian government officials with key
stakeholders from UK and Ukrainian industry to discuss
opportunities for long-term cooperation.
Following meetings between the UK defence companies and the
Ukrainian Government, agreements have been signed, including:
-
Babcock being 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, following their transfer from the UK Royal
Navy. This follows the establishment of Babcock Ukraine, with
the opening of an office in-country where a dedicated team
will focus on supporting Ukraine and industry partners.
- BAE Systems and AMS Integrated Solutions Ltd signed an
agreement that will enable them to offer specialised artillery
systems support directly to Ukrainian Armed Forces in Ukraine.
Under the agreement, artillery systems donated by the UK
Government could be repaired and maintained in AMS’ existing
maintenance centres in Ukraine, where it employs Ukrainian
engineers.
- Thales signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ukrainian
Unmanned Aerial Systems business, Aerodrone, which will bring
together the best of Ukrainian and Northern Irish engineering to
deliver new capability for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Ukraine has the facilities, pedigree, people, and skills to
produce high quality military hardware, and has a clear interest
in establishing partnerships with Western defence companies to
rebuild its defence industrial base and help Ukraine win the war.
More widely, total trade in goods and services between the UK and
Ukraine amounted to £1.5 billion in the four quarters to the end
of Q2 2023. Increasing trade will create jobs in both our
countries and help sustain Ukraine’s recovery and resilience.
Minister for Defence Procurement, said:
This successful UK trade mission is another pillar in our
unwavering support to Ukraine as they regain their territory.
The UK Government and UK industry will continue to work
hand-in-glove with our Ukrainian allies, seizing opportunities
for collaboration and bolstering our defence industries.
Industry Minister, said:
As Minister for Ukraine Reconstruction, I know the significant
opportunity for greater collaboration between our world-class
defence sector and Ukraine, and I’m delighted to see our first
trade mission to Kyiv completed as we help Ukraine develop
defence production capacity of its own.
A financially robust and technologically advanced Ukraine will be
vital for victory against Putin and his illegal invasion of the
country, and by building these partnerships with industry we’re
sharing expertise, building resilience and boosting jobs,
investment and prosperity.
This trade mission sought to strengthen ties with UK industry,
and support Ukrainian ambition to become the Arsenal of the Free
World.
Mark Goldsack, Director of UK Defence and Security
Exports said:
Despite Putin’s barbaric invasion, Ukraine remains resilient,
optimistic, and focused on victory.
The UK’s first trade delegation to Kyiv saw the energetic desire
from all parties to help Ukraine take back their land. With
agreements already signed with our defence industry, the work
will help boost resilience for both our industrial bases for
years to come.
Andy Start, DE&S CEO and UK National Armaments
Director said:
UK Defence Industry has supported Ukraine from the start of the
war and delivered world-class defence equipment. Developing
strong partnerships with Ukraine’s substantial defence industry,
will allow the sharing of substantial knowledge gained in combat
conditions. Together we can increase collective capacity to
deliver the mission winning defence systems we all need.
The businesses that attended the trade mission included BAE
Systems, Babcock, Thales, AMS Global, and KBR. There will be
opportunity for other UK defence companies to attend future trade
missions in 2024.
