The United Kingdom has announced the establishment of military repair facilities within Ukraine, aimed at quickly restoring battle-damaged equipment for Ukrainian forces. This initiative, revealed by the UK Ministry of Defence, includes four operational sites with plans for a fifth. The facilities are managed under contracts with UK companies, employing both British and Ukrainian personnel, and are equipped to repair various military assets, including armoured vehicles and artillery systems.
The maintenance facilities specifically focus on UK-supplied equipment such as the CVR-T armoured vehicles, Husky support vehicles, and L119 light guns. Additionally, they assist in maintaining former Soviet-era equipment still in use by Ukraine’s military, as well as the AS-90 artillery systems donated by the UK. Collaboration with Swedish partners enables further support for the Archer artillery systems.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the UK has been working to develop this repair infrastructure. By situating maintenance capabilities within Ukraine, damaged equipment can be repaired locally, significantly reducing repair timelines and allowing for a quicker return of vehicles to the frontline.
Luke Pollard, the UK Defence Minister for Readiness and Industry, visited one of the facilities during a recent trip to Ukraine. He met with staff dedicated to restoring military equipment for operational use. Pollard remarked, “While the world’s attention is focused on conflict across the Middle East, the UK is standing firmer with our friends in Ukraine. Our pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks.”
His visit coincided with the seventh UK-organised defence trade mission to Ukraine, described as the largest to date, involving over 80 delegates from 55 companies, including a record 35 British firms. The mission aimed to enhance industrial cooperation between UK and Ukrainian defence sectors and was facilitated by ADS Group, the UK trade association for the aerospace, defence, security, and space industries.
During this mission, the UK and Ukraine signed an agreement under Programme Lyra, a technology exchange initiative established between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June 2025. This project will focus on integrating UK electronic warfare technology with Ukrainian platforms to bolster military capabilities.
The trade mission also signified the UK’s intention to maintain a permanent presence supporting British industry in Ukraine. Plans are underway for a new British Business Centre in Kyiv to deepen industrial cooperation and investment between the two nations.
Since the onset of Russia’s invasion, the UK has committed more than £21 billion in support to Ukraine, positioning it as one of Kyiv’s largest bilateral donors. This ongoing commitment underscores the UK’s strategic partnership with Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
