The United Kingdom has confirmed the operation of military maintenance facilities within Ukraine, aimed at expediting the repair of battle-damaged military equipment. The announcement by the UK Ministry of Defence highlights that four sites are currently operational, with plans for a fifth facility. This initiative seeks to enhance the efficiency of returning repaired assets to the Ukrainian armed forces.
The facilities are managed under contracts from the Ministry of Defence by UK companies, employing both British and Ukrainian personnel. They focus on repairing a variety of military equipment, including UK-supplied CVR-T armoured vehicles, Husky support vehicles, and L119 light guns. Additionally, they cater to older Soviet-era systems still in use by Ukraine’s military and provide support for the AS-90 artillery systems donated by the UK. Collaboration with Swedish partners enables maintenance for the Archer artillery systems as well.
The establishment of these repair facilities follows Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. By locating maintenance capabilities inside Ukraine, the UK aims to reduce the time required for repairs, allowing damaged equipment to be restored locally rather than transported abroad. This strategic move is expected to shorten repair timelines significantly and return operational vehicles to Ukrainian units more promptly.
British engineers are working closely with Ukrainian staff at these facilities, fostering collaboration to maintain and repair military equipment. During a visit to Ukraine this week, Luke Pollard, the UK Defence Minister for Readiness and Industry, toured one of the repair sites and engaged with personnel involved in restoring equipment for frontline deployment.
“While the world’s attention is focused on conflict across the Middle East, the UK is standing firmer with our friends in Ukraine,” Pollard stated. “From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine. Our pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks, and British firms are boosting long-term industrial production in Ukraine and partnering with Ukrainian companies to benefit both our nations.”
In conjunction with this initiative, Pollard led the seventh UK-organised defence trade mission to Ukraine, described by the government as the largest to date. The mission involved over 80 delegates and 55 companies, including a record 35 British firms, alongside international partners from Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. This trade mission, coordinated by ADS Group, the UK trade association for the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors, aimed to strengthen industrial cooperation between British and Ukrainian defence companies.
The UK and Ukraine also formalised an agreement under Programme Lyra, a technology exchange initiative established between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June 2025. This latest project will focus on integrating UK electronic warfare technology with Ukrainian platforms, enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities.
This trade mission underscores the UK’s commitment to establishing a permanent presence in Ukraine to support British industry. Plans are underway to open a new British Business Centre in Kyiv, aimed at deepening industrial cooperation and investment between the two nations.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion, the UK has pledged more than £21 billion in support to Ukraine, solidifying its position as one of Kyiv’s largest bilateral donors. The establishment of military repair facilities not only illustrates the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense but also highlights the increasing collaboration between the two countries in the face of ongoing challenges.
