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• The UK will lead a new Maritime Capability Coalition alongside Norway, delivering ships and vehicles to strengthen Ukraine鈥檚 ability to operate at sea.
• Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will today confirm Ukraine鈥檚 procurement of two Royal Navy minehunter ships for the Ukrainian Navy.
• New coalition will deliver long-term support to Ukraine, including training, equipment, and infrastructure to bolster security in the Black Sea.

Two Royal Navy minehunter ships are being transferred from the Royal Navy to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in a move to strengthen Ukraine鈥檚 ability to operate at sea.

As the UK and Norway launch a new Maritime Capability Coalition, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will announce the procurement of two Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) by Ukraine through UK Export Finance today in London.

He will be joined by his Norwegian counterpart to jointly launch the Maritime Capability Coalition. Alongside this new initiative, the Defence Secretary will confirm further details of UK military support to Ukraine.

Ukraine鈥檚 economy continues to be impacted by Putin鈥檚 blockade in the Black Sea, which has significantly reduced the country鈥檚 ability to move vital exports by sea. Strengthening the AFU鈥檚 maritime capabilities, in particular countering the threat from Russian sea mines, will help restore Ukraine鈥檚 maritime exports.

This builds on the UK Foreign Secretary鈥檚 visit to Ukraine last month where he听welcomed听the听launch of the听new 鈥楿nity Facility鈥櫶齜etween UK company Marsh McLennan听and the Ukrainian Government,听which will provide affordable shipping insurance听for听grain and other critical food supplies globally from Ukraine鈥檚 Black Sea ports, actively support international efforts to alleviate the global food crisis.

The new Maritime Capability Coalition will build the support that the UK, Norway, and others are providing to Ukraine. This will be long term to help Ukraine transform its navy, making it more compatible with western allies, more interoperable with NATO, and bolstering security in the Black Sea.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said:听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听

鈥淭hese minehunters will deliver vital capability to Ukraine which will help save lives at sea and open up vital export routes, which have been severely limited since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion.

鈥淭his capability boost marks the beginning of a new dedicated effort by the UK, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine鈥檚 maritime capabilities over the long term, enhancing their ability to operate in defending their sovereign waters and bolstering security in the Black Sea.

鈥淎s an island nation with a proud maritime history, the UK and Royal Navy are particularly well-placed to support this endeavour, which will form part of a series of new coalitions formed between allies to ensure an enduring military commitment in support of Ukraine.鈥�

Norwegian Defence Minister Bj酶rn Arild Gram said:听听

鈥淭he defence of Ukraine is important for Euro-Atlantic security. Now The United Kingdom, Norway and other countries will support Ukraine in developing their navy.

鈥淥ur goal is to contribute to building a lasting Ukrainian naval capability. In the further work, I hope Norway, as a sea-faring nation, can contribute with maritime expertise, new technological solutions and innovative thinking.鈥�

The new maritime coalition will work closely with the Ukrainian Navy and Ministry of Defence to develop a number of capabilities, including the rapid development of a maritime force in the Black Sea, continuing to develop a Ukrainian Marine Corps, and river patrol craft to defend coastal and inland waterways.

Agreed during recent meetings of the 50-nation strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group, it forms part of a series of Capability Coalitions to strengthen Ukraine鈥檚 operations in other domains including on land and in the air.听

and aim to build on this work.

The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have emphasised the UK鈥檚 unwavering support for Ukraine, with 拢4.6bn in military support allocated since Putin launched his full-scale invasion, and more than 52,000 Ukrainian troops trained since Russia first invaded Crimea in 2014.