Norway, UK join naval forces to transform Ukraine's capabilities to counter Russia

NATO partners Norway and the UK jointly launched a new program on December 11 aimed at transforming Ukrainian Navy capabilities and rapidly developing a Black Sea maritime force to counter Russian aggression in the region.

As reported by Breaking Defense, the initiative also involves Kyiv acquiring two UK Royal Navy Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) as well as being supplied with British Viking armored amphibious vehicles and Marine raiding craft.

The initiative, called Maritime Capability Coalition, seeks to provide long-term support to help Ukraine enhance its navy, aligning it with Western allies, fostering interoperability with NATO, and enhancing security in the Black Sea.

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps revealed on his official X account that the initiative 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”.