UK Defense "Discussing Additional Deployment of British Soldiers to Ukraine"

"Discussion on Relocating Training and Equipment Production to Ukraine"
Calls for Local Production of Military Equipment by Defense Companies

Grant Shapps, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, has for the first time discussed with military leaders the deployment of British troops to Ukraine. This is aimed at increasing training and military equipment production.

According to the British daily The Telegraph on the 30th of last month (local time), Secretary Shapps visited the Salisbury Plain training base on the 29th (local time) and received a briefing from General Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff. At this meeting, he discussed with military leaders the transfer of more training and military equipment production to Ukraine.

On the 28th of last month (local time), Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, and Grant Shapps, UK Secretary of State for Defence, held talks in Kyiv, Ukraine.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Since July last year, the UK has been conducting 'Operation Interflex,' which trains Ukrainian recruits at UK training bases including Salisbury Plain. This program, involving 10 countries besides the UK, has trained about 26,500 Ukrainian recruits, and it is expected that more than 30,000 will be trained by the end of this year.

Among these efforts, Secretary Shapps urged defense contractors to establish factories in Ukraine. He mentioned the UK defense company BAE, which is promoting local production in Ukraine, stating, "I want to see other UK companies doing the same and fulfilling their part."

Secretary Shapps said he is preparing for a more active role in protecting grain export ships in the Black Sea. During his visit to Kyiv last week, he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and discussed the role the Royal Navy can play in protecting cargo ships from Russian attacks.

He explained, "Over the past month or so, we have seen progress in the Black Sea and Crimea for the first time since 2014," adding, "As a naval nation, the UK can help and advise."

He continued, "Basically, it is important to ensure that international shipping is not prevented in the area, so I believe there are many areas where the UK can assist."

Strengthening training for the Ukrainian military and establishing local factories by UK defense companies all indicate the UK's intention to become more deeply involved in the Ukraine war.

Until now, NATO member countries, including the UK, have avoided official training programs in Ukraine due to concerns that their personnel might be deployed in combat.

Earlier this year, claims surfaced that up to 50 British troops were among Western special forces stationed in Ukraine, but the UK government has not publicly acknowledged this.

The Telegraph interpreted Secretary Shapps' recent public remarks as signaling a change in the UK government's approach to the Ukraine-Russia war.

According to The Guardian, the British military provided ?2.3 billion (approximately 3.8 trillion KRW) in military aid to Ukraine last year, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to provide the same level of support this year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.