The U.K. announced Oct. 7 the conclusion of a major weapons trade mission to Kyiv, one led by Minister for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard. After their extension in July of almost $4.5 billion to Ukraine, for it to then purchase “military capabilities” from the U.K., Pollard’s group—including representatives from the Ministry of Defense, the Department for Business and Trade, and the defense trade association ADS—visited the Ukraine Defense Industrial Forum.
They announced: “Agreements were made with Ukrainian officials on their requirements for complex weapons and land systems support during the event, which provides a signal to U.K. industry as to the types of equipment they most need and for which the [Ministry of Defense] will now contract with U.K. industry on Ukraine’s behalf.” Pollard provided the obligatory messaging: “The U.K.’s support for Ukraine is ironclad. We continue to lead the way in providing military aid…. We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we will provide support for as long as it takes.”
