British military assistance to Ukraine was increased significantly after 2014 and the Russian annexation of Crimea, a Parliamentary Research Briefing paper has taken a look at just what that involves.
In 2015 the UK launched Operation Orbital, a non-lethal training and capacity building operation that provides guidance and training to the Ukrainian armed forces.
“In August 2020 the MOD announced that the UK will lead a new multinational maritime training initiative that will boost the capacity of Ukraine’s Navy to act in the Black Sea. The UK and Ukraine have also launched the Naval Capabilities Enhancement Programme, which will develop Ukraine’s naval capabilities.
To date, over 21,000 Ukrainian military personnel have been trained under these initiatives. The UK has also gifted £2.2 million of non-lethal military equipment.”
In June 2021 the UK, Ukraine and industry signed a Memorandum of Implementation that will push the NCEP forward. Work will now commence on:
• Ukraine’s purchase of two refurbished Royal Navy Sandown-class minehunters in a government-to-government sale
• The sale and integration of missiles on new and in-service Ukrainian Navy patrol and airborne platforms, including a training and engineering support package
• Assistance in building new naval bases in the Black Sea and Azov Sea
• The development and joint production of eight fast missile warships
• Participation in the Ukrainian project to deliver a modern frigate capability.
You can read more directly from the briefing paper itself by clicking here.
Recently, HMS Defender ignored Russian warnings while the warship was sailing near Crimea, so Russia hit back with information warfare trying to paint a story of aggression.
You can read more on this here.
2 missile boats to be built in Rosyth and the remaining 6 in Ukraine?
Any further news about UK involvement in their frigate requirement?
I know it’s very nice helping out, but most of these uplifts are some time away, (like the Australian Nuclear boats) whereas Russian troops are massing on the borders! Will it be enough and in time??
The training is the most significant. The US/UK has also provided consulting to reorganize the Ukrainian army, which was a mess stuck in the 80’s soviet doctrine. It’s a much more potent fighting force than it has ever been. Enough? Hopefully we don’t have to find out.
The UK ought to take some of its own advice! British Army is a shambles in recent years. Very sad to see as it isn’t the fault of the individual bods. Disastrous decision making by career plonkers.
Canada has done training on a similar scale.
Actually the Ukrainian tank force have a lot of T-64BM’s and other updated T-64 versions which are better then than Russian T-72 tanks.
Do we need to worry about the Russian military buildup? I believe COVID may be one avenue open to Russia achieving its goals. If the World is to face years of Covid variants, this could change the political will to defend what could be termed as ‘peripheral regions,’ as national budgets continue to be battered by propping up their economies. Military budgets could face starvation as multiple demands reduce spending commitments. Maybe all Moscow has to do is wear down international commitments, by continuing to bully and threaten then simply walk in or fight a short decisive campaign? The same… Read more »
China is establishing a tight grip across a number of countries, by using various fiscal instruments to draw them in. Such influence is very similar to how the British Empire came about, and in some circumstances, without the need to use force. Financial acquiescence is an alternative to the gun, and a difficult method of influence for opposing forces to counter. Especially if pandemics continue to draw down military budgets in the West. In truth, military invasions are a crude tool when oppressive economics can lead to the same results.
One other factor that concerns me, ‘Exclusive Portage or Porting,’ such a trend could exclude many nations from using them resulting in additional mileage and costs. This could be construed as a blockade in all but name. As I read this, no amount of naval posturing or objection would slow down this trend? Worryingly, what could the West do to nip this trend in the bud? The hosting of Chinses warships must be a given, and further, restrict international use of these ports. This is exactly what we are witnessing in and around the SCS manmade islands.
I think the free west/rest of the world is facing an existential threat unless we find a way to prevent further PRC advances.
Do we want to live in a world governed by CCP standards?
The west sending most of our manufacuring off to the PRC from the 1980s onwards kicked this off. Bosses & owners didn’t give a fig about destroying jobs in our own countries if they could make more dosh for themselves & by doing so have bought about the dangerous monster the PRC is today.
For the most part, our goods could come from the Moon as far as most purchasers are concerned.
Such rubbish. The west’s technological edge is nowhere close to being eroded. China hasn’t invented anything since gunpowder. It’s either been poorly ripped off from the West or it’s been bought and reverse engineered from the USSR/Russia. Saying that Pakistan has nukes is true, their reliability is questionable. North Korea has 10-20 and, put straightly, they don’t work consistently and would be knocked down by GMD. Iran doesn’t have nukes but is attempting to get them. Getting nukes 70 years after the US and U.K. is hardly eroding their technological edge. I also struggle to understand how you say a… Read more »
You seem to be predicting the demise of capitalism, but both Russia and China have moved away from text book communism to different forms of State Controlled Capitalism. I think the causes of the conflict lie not in economic systems but elsewhere. For example, Russia has always aspired to having buffer states between it and Europe; this goes way back to Tsarist times and has obvious relevance when you consider the history (Napoleon, Hitler). likewise, China remembers the Opium Wars.
What cobbers you speak!
The UN is not ruled by the Americans! Israel is Not ruled by American! Yes they can influenced Israel by the military support it receives, but Not always.
At least Capitalism delivers the goods and services, which Communism failed to do! Most Western economics are no longer truly Capitalist, but mixed with state intervention.
In the case of Sri Lanka, there’s more: importing sub standard canned fish which poisoned and killed people – that deal is back; Chinese investment in New Colombo city (!); north – south highway, they’re the big ticket items, there is so much more.
Read some time ago that China has a 100 year plan to return china to primacy in the south pacific sea, started around world war 2 its an extreme long term plan to build economy, military and politics
I’m not seeing the point of the west sending small patrol ships to the Ukraine , they would be wiped out in minutes with the Russian navy,
Nor me but its probably all we can afford (or get through Parliament) and not something Russia cares about. Given the state of industry there manufacturing the bulk there will be a challenge, especially if it involves us giving them, the most corrupt country in Europe, money to do the work.
The most corrupt country in Europe? you are forgetting Russia there buddy , you seem to sway that way , hence my accusations, also I’m not talking about the UK contribution but the US in their gift of patrol boats , I’m still calling you Ivan lol.
Precisely!
What is really needed is for the West to grow some gonads and stand up to Mr Putin and Mr Xi
Yes, we should Not repeat the very big mistake of 1938, of appeasing hitler!