In a statement published on its website, the British Ministry of Defence said that the United Kingdom and Norway will lead a new coalition to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime capabilities. This alliance will provide warships to Kyiv.
According to the statement, the UK will lead in forming a new maritime capabilities coalition. This coalition would give ships and vehicles to Ukraine to enhance its capacity to operate at sea.
In addition, the statement mentions that the UK will provide Ukraine with two Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) through UK Export Finance. It was stated in the announcement that two mine-hunting ships belonging to the Royal Navy are being given to the Ukrainian Armed Forces to improve Ukraine’s capability to conduct operations.
The British Defence Minister Grant Shapps will officially announce the transfer of Sandown-class ships (MCMV) on December 11.
His Norwegian colleague will accompany him in formally establishing the Maritime Capability Coalition. The Defence Secretary will reveal additional details of UK military assistance to Ukraine in conjunction with this new initiative.
According to Grant Shapps, the new maritime coalition will collaborate closely with the Ukrainian Navy and Ministry of Defence to build several capabilities, such as the quick establishment of a maritime force in the Black Sea, the ongoing development of the Ukrainian Marine Corps, and river patrol boats for the protection of inland and coastal waterways.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps discussed the delivery of the minehunters, stating that they will provide Ukraine with essential capabilities that will assist in saving lives at sea and open up crucial export routes, which have been severely restricted since Putin started his illegal full-scale invasion. With this capability boost, the UK, Norway, and their partners are kicking off a fresh, sustained commitment to fortify Ukraine’s maritime capabilities, improving its capacity to protect its sovereign waters and strengthening security in the Black Sea, he said.
Putin’s blockade of the Black Sea has adversely affected Ukraine’s economy and made it far more difficult for the nation to transport essential commodities by sea. Ukraine’s maritime exports will increase if the AFU’s maritime capabilities are strengthened, especially to counter the threat posed by Russian sea mines.
Building on the UK Foreign Secretary’s visit to Ukraine last month, where he hailed the establishment of the new ‘Unity Facility’ between the Ukrainian government and UK company Marsh McLennan, this initiative will actively support international efforts to alleviate the global food crisis by offering reasonably priced shipping insurance for grain and other essential food supplies worldwide from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.
The UK, Norway, and other countries already support Ukraine; the new Maritime Capability Coalition will double that amount. Ukraine will provide long-term assistance to modernise its navy, improving its interoperability with NATO and Western allies while enhancing Black Sea security.
