Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Accepted
Taskforce Hirst facilitates beneficial UK-Ukrainian defence industry collaboration on innovative equipment.
Conclusion
Through Taskforce Hirst, UK and Ukrainian industry are working together to design, build and support innovative and adaptable equipment. The Department said that both the UK and Ukraine are benefitting from this collaboration, including aligning how the defence industries in the two countries operate.9 The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) works with the Department on Taskforce Hirst, and DBT has led trade missions to Ukraine in support of this initiative.10 5 Q 1 6 C&AG’s Report, Investigation into military support for Ukraine, Session 2024–25, HC 230, 11 September 2024 7 C&AG’s Report, Ukraine, paras 1, 2, 1.1 8 Q 44; C&AG’s Report, Ukraine, paras 2.4 and 2.7 9 Q 39 10 C&AG’s Report, Ukraine, para 1.9 9
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the committee's point, reiterating its commitment to supporting Ukraine, including £4.5 billion in capability support this financial year, and implementing long-term solutions from the Strategic Defence Review by partnering with Ukraine's defence industry.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: August 2025 1.2 In line with the Prime Minister’s March 2025 pledge, the department will support Ukraine for as long as it takes. 1.3 In the immediate term, this financial year the Ministry of Defence (the department) expect to provide £4.5 billion in capability support – more than in any previous year - this includes the £1.5 billion of the £2.6 billion ‘Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration’ Loans which is being repaid using profits generated by immobilised Russian assets. 1.4 Recognising the exceptional knowledge Ukraine has learned from this conflict, and the opportunities UK can offer through its 100-year partnership, the department is also implementing long-term solutions which will deliver on Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation for the UK Armed Forces. Partnering with Ukraine will be the key, as illustrated by the Prime Minister’s recent landmark agreement with President Zelenskyy which will see battlefield technology and data sets from the front line plugged into UK production lines, allowing Ukrainian and British defence firms to collaborate in rapidly designing and building, at scale, cutting edge military equipment both for Ukrainian benefit today and mutual military, industrial and economic benefit the in the longer term. 1.5 The department will sustain its close relationships with its Ukrainian counterparts which are built on mutual trust, a track record of delivery and enable the UK to be responsive to Ukraine’s needs. 1.6 The department will also remain at the forefront of the international response by working with allies to provide support for Ukraine, for example through co-chairing of the international Ukraine Defence Contact Group.