The transfer of the vessels is part of a new memorandum between Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom announced as part of the ‘Defence Command Paper‘, a white paper outlining the shape and size of the British military over the years to come that it is retiring its Sandown and Hunt class vessels as the Royal Navy moves to autonomous platforms for mine hunting work.

The Ukrainian Navy posted on Facebook here (translation also provided by Facebook):

“In the near future, the Ukrainian Navy is expecting a transfer to its warehouse of two ships type “Sendown” that are currently in the Royal British Navy, after their full audit, repair, upgrade, additional equipment and adequate preparation of the Ukrainian Navy personnel.

In addition, eight missile boats will be built according to the requirements of the Ukrainian Navy, the first two of which will be built directly in the United Kingdom, and the other will be built already in Ukraine. The assistance of the United Kingdom in the construction of naval bases on the Azov and the Black Sea is also planned.”

Announcing the memorandum, the British Embassy in Kiev said:

“On board HMS DEFENDER in Odesa, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin and Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine Oleksandr Myroniuk signed an important Memorandum of Implementation for naval partnership projects between a consortium of UK industry and the Ukrainian Navy.

The Memorandum provides for joint UK-Ukraine design and build of warships, construction of two Naval Bases. This is the next step in development of UK-Ukraine bilateral co-operation in strengthening Ukraine’s Navy that faces ongoing dangers in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov.

The signing ceremony took place aboard one of the most modern ships of the Royal Navy, HMS Defender, and was witnessed by the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Oleksiy Danilov, the First Sea Lord Admiral Tony Radakin and the British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons. They also observed joint training activity of Ukrainian, UK and US Special forces.

HMS Defender arrived in Odesa on Friday. This magnificent warship is the second Royal Navy ship to visit Odesa in the last couple of weeks after HMS TRENT. Joint naval projects and regular warships visits are important examples of the close ties between the UK and Ukraine, as partners and friendly nations.”

There are currently no details as to which vessels Ukraine will recieve.

The Sandown class

The Sandown-class Mine Counter Measure Vessels are based in Scotland.

According to the Royal Navy website:

“The staff and ships of Mine Counter Measures 1 (MCM1) Squadron deploy in the Northern Gulf, conduct NATO exercises with other nations and work around the British Coastline, protecting our shores and clearing the old ordnance that remains as a legacy of previous wars.”

They’ll be replaced with uncrewed platforms in future.

Uncrewed minehunters to replace conventional vessels

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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37 COMMENTS

  1. No idea what the Ukranian translation of Salisbury is but that would seem an appropriate name for one of them. Doesn’t mention where the money comes from ?

    • The Sandown are being gifted albeit Ukraine will probably pay for the pre delivery refit. The FAC are being paid for via loans from the UK, with interest rates bordering on the negative it is a good way to pay for them. Both the Sandown MCMV and the FAC (derived from the Super Bazan by all accounts) are the kind of vessels Ukraine needs at the moment. The Ukrainian Navy is at best a coastal force with limited Blue Water capability, they are also buying a couple of new MILGEM ADA Class Corvette from Turkey which will be a good supplement for their single Krivak III Frigate. There is a good chance Lynx Wildcat will be of interest to them as well as it would be a good fit for the ADA Corvette.

  2. These vessels seem very busy, so absolute madness they are given way before being replaced……. but its OK we will have the National Flagship (or HMY fcking pointless) to project “Global Britain”.

        • It wasn’t the fact we are giving away the two MCMs it was your comment about the carriers….goes to show you don’t understand strategic planning, considerations and operations.

          • Ahh. Nope I was referring to the national flagship royal yacht replacement thing. Big fan of the carriers, think they are great value and an amazing piece of kit we should be proud of

          • Ok mate no probs, my bad….and im almost on board with you in regard to the new yacht…to be seen how that pans out. Cheers.

    • You may want to brush up on your geopolitics and using those lenses consider what a clever little move this is.

    • “Who is paying for the missile boat build?” – via a loan from the UK, not unusual for defence deals and nothing to get upset about. With interest rates so low verging on negative it is a good time to be buying and selling defence equipment. The UK banks in effect are paying for it in the short to medium term and the Ukraine will pay back over many years at a low interest rate making it a win win for all.

      “Which missile boats?” – Apparently a sub variant of the Super Vita design sold to a number of countries. Detail design has not started yet, I am guessing the Ukraine will want their domestic heavyweight AShM the RK-360MC Neptune fitted (derived from the KH-35) along with some other domestic systems but expect a pick and mix of Western and Ukrainian weapons, systems and sensors.

      “Which shipyard?” – First two in a to be as of yet determined UK shipyard remaining six in the Ukraine. The latter six probably one of the yards in Mykolaiv, take your pick really … CC3 Nibulon, PJSC Chernomorsky or PJSC Nikolaev would all be contenders. Knowing Ukrainian politics it will be a politically driven decision, as it is new news I haven’t had a chance to discuss with my family contact in the Ukrainian MOD yet…I am hoping to lean on that detail to get an invite to the UK launch or one in the Ukraine.

  4. Although i appreciate it’s about effectiveness, i think losing so many ships that provide a presence and command experience is worrying as the motherships haven’t even been announced yet and it’s doubtful we will get many.
    I know threre is no money but a programme to build some sort of patrol ship would go some way to replace some of these lost capabilities.
    With regards to the story, its a good use of a ship that is planned to be retired

    • Agree. The MCMV are being retired gradually but at the end of the day these autonomous systems cannot self deploy. It is what other limited asset takes that role and cannot now be elsewhere that concerns me.

  5. “In addition, eight missile boats will be built according to the requirements of the Ukrainian Navy, the first two of which will be built directly in the United Kingdom, and the other will be built already in Ukraine. ”

    Try again.
    What missile boats and who is building them?

  6. “They also observed joint training activity of Ukrainian, UK and US Special forces.”

    Interesting, as HMG never comment on operations concerning UKSF.

  7. Good move, strengthen Ukraine send a clear message to Russia in regards to intent and displeasure of the near abroad policy. All in all proportional foreign policy intervention.

  8. Would be nice if the West started selling/furnishing Ukraine with some offensive weapons so they can really defend themselves. The West has been doing virtually nothing since Putin invaded Ukraine under Obama’s watch.

  10. The PM always come up with unrealistic promises, Ukraine is landlocked. Where will they dock the 8 missiles boats, on the River Thames?

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