Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
International groups and capability coalitions effectively coordinate military support for Ukraine.
Conclusion
The Department said that there are two important but unheralded international groups working to assist Ukraine: the Ukraine defence contact group, and the conference of national armaments directors.11 The UK, Germany and Ukraine now lead the Ukraine defence contact group, which works with more than 40 allies to coordinate responses to Ukrainian requests for equipment, oversee delivery, and marshal European resources in the most effective way.12 This is supported by around a dozen capability coalitions, led by different nations, which work to supply Ukraine’s immediate needs, and develop future capabilities for it. The UK and Norway lead on maritime capability, and other capability coalitions lead on drones, artillery, cyber and IT.13 The Department said that there is significant overlap between the Ukraine defence contact group, and the conference of national armaments directors, with the latter working to make sure that member countries are able to support NATO’s plans and sustain them in a warfighting situation.14 The UK is also working with allies to identify who is best placed to supply particular capabilities to satisfy the anticipated operational requirements of any future peacekeeping operations in Ukraine.15 Lessons learned from military support provided
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.