Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Military assistance to Ukraine supported by UK defence industry

Defence

Military assistance to Ukraine supported by UK defence industry

Yorkshire based Sheffield Forgemasters is to begin production of artillery barrels for the first time in almost two decades after a £61 million contract was awarded to BAE Systems, as the UK ramps up its military supplies and support to Ukraine.

Above: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomes British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on his first visit to Ukraine, where he pledged to help support its security.
Courtesy MoD

The UK placed a £61 million contract with defence giant BAE Systems to produce the barrel forgings, working with Sheffield Forgemasters. The barrels will be produced in Yorkshire, before being sent to Ukraine for finishing and integration.

Advertisement
ODU RT

This year the UK will give more military support to Ukraine than ever before, with £3 billion already committed for lethal aid and the first £1.5 billion from a £2.26 billion loan as part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration scheme set to be released for major procurement projects. The loan will be repaid using the extraordinary profits on immobilised Russian sovereign assets.

The £4.5 billion boost for Ukraine in 2025 will see the UK procure hundreds more air defence systems, drones and essential equipment support to sustain Ukrainian forces on the front line.

With firms across the UK ramping up production to meet Ukraine’s requirements, the funding for Ukraine will directly support the UK defence industry, creating UK jobs and delivering on this government’s growth agenda and Plan for Change. That includes BAE Systems and Sheffield Forgemasters, who, for the first time in almost two decades, will produce artillery barrels for artillery guns.

It comes after the Prime Minister said that the UK would develop a new training offer with Ukraine, alongside its allies. This will see the UK expand its offer to train members of Ukraine’s armed forces, building on the success of Operation Interflex that trained more than 51,000 Ukrainian recruits in the last two years. Ukrainian officer cadets will be trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, helping to develop Ukraine’s future military leaders. British officer cadets will also be able to attend training colleges in Ukraine, learning first-hand from Ukrainian Armed Forces about their fight on the battlefield.

He told President Zelenskyy today that nothing is off the table when it comes to the UK’s training offer for Ukraine in 2025 and that the UK was working closely with allies and partners to design and develop a new training offer to put the country is the strongest possible position through 2025.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "Ukraine’s security is our security. We must continue to do everything possible to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest position - that is why the UK is going further than ever before, ramping up military and humanitarian support.

"The British people have never wavered in their support for Ukraine, and today, UK firms are stepping up to support Ukraine’s military capabilities. We will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine.

"The Prime Minister has also announced that they UK will deliver a new mobile air defence capability to Ukraine this year."

Advertisement
Teledyne

Gravehawk, a UK designed air defence system, has been rapidly developed to meet Ukrainian needs on the battlefield. The project has been jointly funded by the UK and Denmark.

The innovative system, which is the size of a shipping container, is able to retrofit air-air missiles for ground-based air defence, meaning it can use Ukrainian missiles already in their Armed Forces’ possession.

With Ukraine under constant Russian bombardment, the Gravehawk system will boost Ukraine’s air defences, allowing them to defend their cities, troops and critical infrastructure.

Two prototypes of the air defence capability system were tested in Ukraine in September, and a further 15 will follow this year.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: "We are stepping up UK support for Ukraine throughout 2025. Our plan will increase Ukraine’s military capability, expand our training offer, strengthen defence industrial ties and dial up the pressure on Putin.

"This new package of support will help strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield or at any negotiating table."

The UK’s £2.26 billion loan, which forms part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) scheme, will be enabled by new legislation which will shortly complete its passage through Parliament.  The UK’s loan is earmarked as budgetary support for Ukraine’s military spending, enabling them to invest in key equipment, including British equipment, to support their efforts against Russia.

Advertisement
Babcock LB
Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

Defence

Government unveils Team UK approach to defence

8 July 2025

UK Government plans to deliver jobs across the country by unlocking the full economic potential of Britain's defence sector are being unveiled today.

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

Defence

Construction begins on SLA accommodation at RAF Cosford

8 July 2025

Construction has started on a new 50-bedroom Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at RAF Cosford in Shropshire.

Homes England acquires Ripon Barracks from MoD

Defence

Homes England acquires Ripon Barracks from MoD

7 July 2025

Homes England and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have agreed that land at Ripon Barracks, a military site scheduled for closure, will be developed into 1,300 new homes following a sale between the two public sector organisations.

Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

Defence

Royal Navy establishes autonomous minesweeping capability

4 July 2025

The Royal Navy has - for the first time - established an autonomous minesweeping capability, after new systems were delivered to help combat the rapidly evolving threat of naval mines.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Serco appoints Keith Williams as Chair

4 July 2025

Serco has appointed Keith Williams to the Board as a Non-Executive Director and Chair designate.

BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL

Defence

BAE Systems to continue developing AFRL's BATDOK

4 July 2025

The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has selected BAE Systems to continue development and support deployment of the Battlefield Assisted Trauma Distributed Operations Kit (BATDOK) via the new Force Optimization through Rapid-prototyping, Gear Enhancements & Innovative Technology (FORGE-IT) programme.

Advertisement
ODU RT