Ukraine and the UK are about to sign a 10-year security pact. Ukraine ramps up production of drones to offset a shortfall of ammunition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Britain will use its naval expertise to help Ukraine control the Black Sea as part of a 10-year security pact to be signed in the coming weeks, The Telegraph said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will pledge to \u201ckeep Kyiv in the fight\u201d against Russia by providing military support focused on naval assets, as well as financial aid and intelligence sharing. It will also contain promises of a post-war security guarantee to ward off Moscow should it consider attacking again, including stepping up weapons deliveries and reimposing sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
British officials have told their Ukrainian counterparts the country will focus on bolstering Kyiv\u2019s maritime capabilities as part of the planned MoU, The Telegraph can disclose. The dossier also sets out plans for protecting post-war Ukraine, including a promise to step up weapons deliveries and financial support in case of another Russian attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The focus of arms deliveries will be on ensuring Ukraine\u2019s forces become more \u201cinteroperable\u201d with Nato to act as a long-term deterrent against future attacks. The country\u2019s armed forces will also promise to maintain its Operation Interflex training programme as part of the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On December 11, the UK and Norway announced that the two countries will co-lead a Maritime Capability Coalition to strengthen Ukraine\u2019s ability to operate at sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps announced that Ukraine\u2019s armed forces had \u201cprocured\u201d the Sandown Class minehunting ships from Britain\u2019s Royal Navy. In addition to the Sandown-class vessels, the UK-Norway maritime coalition will deliver 20 Viking Amphibious vehicles and 23 raiding craft to Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine is ramping up production of drones, and is planning to produce 155mm artillery shells in Ukraine with Western companies in 2024, Deputy Defense Minister, Lieutenant General Ivan Havrylyuk said in an interview with BBC Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs to [the shortfall of] artillery ammunition, it will continue. So Ukraine decided to solve these issues by creating a powerful production of drones,\u201d Havrylyuk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine is also increasing production of \u201calmost all Soviet-era types\u201d of ammunition, he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine will also make more artillery ammunition for the 155mm caliber used in many artillery pieces donated by western countries. Kyiv will also jointly manufacture 155mm artillery shells with western companies in Ukraine. \u201cWe\u2019re not talking about large-scale production of 155mm shells,\u201d Havrylyuk said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said he expects that next year Ukraine\u2019s defense industry will \u201cproduce enough [ammunition] to close the gap between what [Ukraine] needs and what the allies can supply.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Havrylyuk was part of the delegation that travelled with President Zelenskyi to the U.S. in December. He said they discussed joint production of ammunition in Ukraine with U.S. companies as part of the country\u2019s efforts to boost its domestic production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next year, Ukraine plans to jointly produce missiles for Soviet-made S-300 and Buk antiaircraft systems with U.S. allies. The stock of the missiles is also dwindling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe understand that it is impossible to compare Russia\u2019s and Ukraine\u2019s resources. Russia has powerful defense industries that give it an advantage, including in personnel and weapons. We need technological advantage to prevail on the battlefield,\u201d Ukraine\u2019s Deputy Defense Minister said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ukraine is waiting for the supplies of long-range missiles from its allies, he added. The missiles are critical to cut off enemy supply lines and strike deep behind enemy lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n