The UK government has clarified its position on the supply of computer numerical control (CNC) machines to Ukraine, stating that no requests for such systems have been received in the past two years and that there are no current plans to export them.
In response to a parliamentary question from David Taylor, MP for Hemel Hempstead, on what steps the Ministry of Defence is taking to increase the number of CNC machines exported to Ukraine, Luke Pollard, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Defence, stated:
“Computer numerical control (CNC) machines enable the precise production of advanced components. We have not received requests for CNC systems in the last two years. The Ministry of Defence is not taking any steps to increase the number of systems to Ukraine as we have not provided these types of systems to Ukraine.”
However, the UK remains engaged in supporting Ukraine’s defence industry, working closely with the Armed Forces of Ukraine to provide essential components and tools necessary for weapons production and capability enhancement. Pollard added:
“The Ministry of Defence has and continues to work closely with the Armed Forces of Ukraine to understand their specific requirements, this includes the provision of components and specific tools to enable production of systems and capabilities in Ukraine.”
While the UK has not prioritised the export of CNC machines, the government has actively encouraged partnerships between British and Ukrainian defence industries to rebuild Ukraine’s defence sector through joint ventures and trade missions.
When asked about the effectiveness of UK-Ukraine defence industrial cooperation, Pollard confirmed:
“The UK recognises the need to develop strong defence industrial partnerships with Ukraine to accelerate and deepen UK and Ukrainian defence industrial capacity and capability, and to rebuild its defence industrial base.”
He further highlighted the role of Task Force HIRST, a UK-led initiative that facilitates partnerships between UK defence firms and Ukrainian companies. The UK government has already organised five trade missions to Ukraine, bringing together industry leaders and government officials to explore long-term collaboration opportunities.
Pollard also noted his own involvement in recent trade discussions, stating:
“I recently led a trade mission of UK, Dutch and Norwegian firms to Ukraine in support of these and other aligned objectives.”
The UK has been a key defence partner for Ukraine since the Russian invasion, supplying weapons, training, and logistical support.
Its not surprising that we aren’t exporting cnc machinery to Ukraine seeing as how we don’t build them anymore! Ukraine, if it needs them, will just ask the countries that do build them! The only “British” machine tool manufacturer left is 600 lathes (formerly Colchester lathes) and they are little more than a glorified office these days, all their machines are made abroad. The major manufacturers such as Mazak, Siemens, Doosan, Heidenhain etc are foreign, machine tool manufacturer, like so much of our industry, has been totally wiped out, nothing new eh!!
Exactly.
Although we do have other kinds of non lathe machining such as laser ablation for highly specialised manufacturing.
Some kinds of niche automated welding.
It will be interesting to see what springs up to service the resurgent defence sector.
My dad was a tool maker..