UK leads largest-ever defence trade mission to Ukraine Strengthening European partnerships

The UK has led its largest-ever trade mission to Ukraine, marking a significant boost for British defence companies and multinational cooperation.

A record 51 defence firms from the UK and allied European countries participated in the mission to Kyiv, aiming to secure contracts and create high-skilled jobs across the UK, Caliber.Az reports, citing UK government.

This latest mission brought together leading defence companies specialising in areas such as uncrewed systems and military equipment, highlighting the UK's commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defence sector and enhancing supply chain resilience. 

The mission included partners from Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Latvia, underscoring a united multinational front in backing Ukraine’s defence needs.

The trade mission, the fifth of its kind, is the largest British-led delegation to Ukraine to date and a key milestone in the UK’s 100-Year Partnership with Ukraine. It reflects the UK government’s ongoing support for Ukraine’s defence, security and recovery efforts, while also aligning with the Government’s Plan for Change industrial strategy, which identifies defence as a major growth sector.

Lord Coaker, Defence Minister, emphasised the importance of working closely with European allies to build resilient supply chains and support Ukraine’s path to a just and lasting peace.

The UK continues to lead international support for Ukraine, including chairing the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, where pledges of nearly £23 billion (over $31 billion) in military aid have been secured since the UK took the chair.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, the UK’s defence trade organisation, praised the mission as the most multinational of its kind and highlighted the UK defence industry’s commitment to increasing production capacity and developing innovative capabilities in support of Ukraine.

Norwegian State Secretary Marte Gerhardsen also reaffirmed the importance of European solidarity, noting the urgency of strengthening defence capabilities in light of ongoing Russian aggression. She pointed out efforts to expand Norwegian-Ukrainian industrial collaborations as a key outcome of the mission.

The trade mission comes shortly after the UK and EU agreed a new Security & Defence Partnership, opening further opportunities for the UK’s world-class defence sector and supporting job creation across all UK regions.

By working closely with European allies, the UK aims to reinforce its own defence industry while contributing significantly to Ukraine’s long-term resilience.

By Aghakazim Guliyev