In a landmark move, the UK government and defense industry embarked on their first joint trade mission to Ukraine, solidifying their commitment to the country’s defense and rebuilding its industrial base.
The two-day mission, led by the Department for Business and Trade and the Ministry of Defense, built upon discussions held at the DSEI exhibition in London and brought together key stakeholders from both nations. The focus is strengthening collaboration between UK and Ukrainian defense companies.
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Several noteworthy agreements emerged from the mission:
- Babcock secured a three-year contract to maintain Ukrainian Navy vessels donated by the UK Royal Navy, and has established a dedicated Ukrainian office to further support the region;
- BAE Systems and AMS Integrated Solutions partnered to offer direct artillery system support to Ukrainian forces, utilizing existing Ukrainian maintenance centers for repairs;
- Thales signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aerodrone, a Ukrainian Unmanned Aerial Systems company, to develop new capabilities for Ukrainian forces.
These agreements highlight Ukraine’s potential as a defense industry partner. The country boasts skilled personnel, production facilities, and a strong desire to rebuild its capabilities, both to win the war and establish long-term economic partnerships with companies.
Beyond defense, the mission underscored the importance of broader trade ties. UK-Ukraine trade currently stands at £1.5 billion, and expanding this relationship is expected to create jobs in both nations and bolster Ukraine’s economic recovery.
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