In the explanatory memorandum, the government stated that a bilateral agreement was “necessary” because Ukraine`s usual public procurement rules had not allowed the country to conduct an “individual market” and not to let a certain percentage of goods and services come from the United Kingdom. Ukraine will use British funding to improve its naval capabilities. The agreement builds on the agreement signed between the two countries and their industrial partners in June. The establishment of a new naval base on the Black Sea as the main naval base for Ukraine and a new base on the Sea of Azov. The IFA is a continuation of the implementation memorandum signed by the two countries in June this year to work together to improve Ukraine`s naval capabilities. In recent years, the UK has stepped up its support for the Ukrainian military. These include the training of Ukrainian military personnel and the improvement of Ukraine`s naval capabilities. Earlier this year, the Ukrainian government unveiled its three-stage plans to build a new three-phase naval fleet by 2035. As announced at the time, one of the phases includes the construction of the Berdyansk naval base, for which the country will seek support from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Ukrainian Navy chose to procure the small ships because of their speed, maneuverability and ability to perform a wide range of tasks. The estimate was that the “mosquito fleet” is best able to defeat a stronger enemy in naval operations, and it is expected that there will be a synergistic effect with the high combat speed and power of the “mosquito fleet”, unmanned aerial and surface vehicles, and coastal anti-ship complexes. The approach to support the Ukrainian Navy was based on the needs and gaps identified by Ukraine`s military capabilities. The projects to be implemented take into account the shortcomings suffered by Ukraine`s naval capabilities after 2014 and aim to strengthen Ukraine`s ability to defend its territorial waters, which is currently overtaken by Russia`s military superiority. These projects include: the introduction of new capabilities through the delivery of new naval platforms and armament of defensive ships, the training of Ukrainian naval personnel, the establishment of new naval bases and the purchase of two Sandown-class anti-mine ships. In June 2021, the British destroyer HMS Defender conducted an operation for freedom of navigation in the Black Sea near Russian-occupied Crimea. A Russian patrol ship fired warning shots at HMS Defender, which was followed by Russian naval and air forces. The British operation was a signal of solidarity with Ukraine, which highlighted the UK`s engagement in the Black Sea and the emerging strategic defence partnership between the UK and Ukraine. The United Kingdom and Ukraine recently signed the Political, Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement, conducted a rigorous defence dialogue and developed a programme of cooperation in the field of defence industry. The UK has stepped up its support for Ukraine to resist hybrid pressure from Russia. Ukraine and Britain are good friends and allies. Today`s memorandum gives new impetus to our cooperation in the maritime industry and will facilitate the development of the Ukrainian Navy.

We appreciate the support of the UK and appreciate your experience. According to a press release issued by the UK government on 16 November 2021, an intergovernmental framework agreement was signed in London. This document builds on progress on joint projects to develop the capabilities of the naval forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as agreed in June when the UK, Ukraine and industry signed an implementation memorandum to work together to strengthen Ukraine`s naval capabilities. Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link The agreement will enter into force on the day the two countries complete their national ratification procedures. In the United Kingdom, no national legislation is necessary to bring the Treaty into force. The British naval presence in the Black Sea has also increased since 2014, peaking in 2018. Despite the provisions of the Montreux Convention, which limits the presence of military vessels of non-coastal states in the Black Sea to 21 days, the Presence of the United Kingdom has remained relatively stable since 2018. British warships spent 57 rotational days in the Black Sea in 2018, 52 in 2019, 31 in 2020 and (in October 2021) 59 in 2021.

These stopovers included regular stops in Odessa – the headquarters of the Ukrainian Navy on the Black Sea. The United Kingdom underlines its support for Kiev and opposes Moscow`s strategy of refusal and has demonstrated its commitment to freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The program will include several projects. It provides for the development and joint production of eight fast missile warships, two of which will be built in British shipyards and the rest in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government will also purchase two refurbished British Sandown-class anti-mine ships. The parties agreed to sell British missiles to be integrated into Ukraine`s naval and airborne patrol platforms, as well as a training and technical support programme. Finally, the United Kingdom will help Ukraine build two new naval bases on the Black Sea (Ochakiv) and the Sea of Azov (Berdyansk). The House of Lords International Agreements Committee reviewed the Credit Support Agreement on December 8, 2021. In its report, the committee noted that the loan support agreement is an “important sign of support” for Ukraine. The committee also suggested that, given the “increased risks of conflict” between Ukraine and Russia, the agreement “should be seen in the context of the UK`s and NATO`s commitments to Ukraine.” Therefore, the committee called on the government to take the opportunity of a parliamentary debate to “set out with its allies its current approach to countering threats to Ukraine`s territory and sovereignty,” which is consistent with the government`s current policy. Finally, the committee paid particular attention to the House of Lords report on the agreement on the grounds that it was “politically important” and raised “public policy issues” that the House might wish to discuss.

On 5 January 2022, the House of Lords is due to debate the agreement. The opposition period ends on January 11, 2022. Britain and Ukraine will look for new ways to cooperate against Russia`s destructive influences. There have been discussions about the unequal and inconsistent distribution of NATO`s deterrent capabilities along the eastern flank and the risks this could entail. Allies can fill these gaps, and there are a number of possible measures to strengthen the resilience of NATO and Ukraine to Russian threats. For example, by developing a Common Strategy for the Black Sea to coordinate its actions in a coherent manner, by carrying out maritime police missions every day of the year, by reviving the idea of joint naval training of NATO allies and partners, or by extending air policing missions to third countries. The United Kingdom has a tangible role to play in bringing NATO Allies together to take these or other relevant steps. Babcock International Group, designated as the main industrial partner to lead the program with other British and Ukrainian industrial partners, announced that in addition to providing armament to ships, new rapid attack missile vehicles and improving capabilities on existing naval platforms, the program would also include the development of modern frigate capabilities and the training of Ukrainian naval personnel. .