The UK trade mission, consisting of government and defence industry representatives, paid its first visit to Ukraine last week.

As reported by the UK government, the mission took place under the auspices of the UK Department for Business and Defence Ministry on 13-14 December and followed discussions at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London on possible partnerships between UK and Ukrainian firms.

UK and Ukraine officials discussed the possibilities of long-term cooperation with defence industry representatives from both countries.

A first 🇬🇧 trade mission to 🇺🇦 with @biztradegovuk has seen deals agreed with UK industry partners to bolster cooperation.

Sharing expertise and boosting jobs, investment and prosperity will help build resilience as Ukraine regains its territory.https://t.co/qCoHpExmV8 pic.twitter.com/ihA2aoMRAA

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— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 18, 2023

A series of agreements resulting from the meetings have been signed.

For example, the UK-based Babcock received a three-year contract from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence to service the Cherkasy and Chernihiv mine countermeasures vessels, which the UK had previously handed over. Earlier, the company opened an office in Ukraine.

BAE Systems and AMS Integrated Solutions Ltd signed an agreement to provide direct specialised support for the Ukrainian army's artillery systems in Ukraine. In particular, the UK-donated artillery will be repaired and maintained at AMS centres in Ukraine, staffed with Ukrainian specialists.

Thales signed a memorandum with Ukrainian drone company Aerodrone "to deliver new capability for Ukraine’s Armed Forces". 

The mission included BAE Systems, Babcock, Thales, AMS Global, and KBR. The communiqué notes that new such missions are planned for 2024 with the possibility of other defence companies participating.

At the Defence Industries Forum in Kyiv in September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced, among other things, the creation of the Defence Industries Alliance.

Afterwards, Ukraine further intensified discussions on defence cooperation with its allies.