UK Gives Two Mining Sweeping Ships To Ukraine, Defense Minister Shapps: Preliminary Efforts To Strengthen Maritime Capability

Illustration of the British Sandown Class Mining destroyer HMS Shoreham (M112). (Wikimedia Commons/MOD/Royal Navy/Lt Nicholas Stevenson)

JAKARTA - The British government announced the granting of two mine-probing vessels belonging to the Royal Navy to Ukraine, a first step that is considered important to strengthen the country's ability at sea in the face of a Russian invasion.

Citing the UK Government website, Monday, December 11, the mine-probing vessels to be awarded are included in the Class Sandown ship.

"These mine propagators will provide important capabilities for Ukraine that will help save lives at sea, as well as open up critical export routes, which have been very limited since (President) Putin launched a full-scale illegal invasion," Defense Minister Grant Shapps said in a statement on the site.

He further explained that the ship's grants were carried out in line with the formation of a maritime defense coalition with Norway, to help strengthen Ukraine's marine operations.

"This increased capability marks the start of new efforts made by Britain, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine's maritime capabilities in the long term, increase their ability to defend their territorial sovereignty and strengthen security in the Black Sea," explained Defense Minister Shapps.

"As an archipelagic country with proud maritime history, Britain and the British Royal Navy have the right position to support this effort, which will be part of a series of new coalitions formed between allies to ensure a long-lasting military commitment to support Ukraine," he said.

The British Royal Navy has coached Ukrainian crew members over the summer on how to use the ship, as quoted by the BBC.

The delivery of these two ships is also of important value, considering that Ukraine, as one of the world's seed producers, has not been able to export due to the Russian blockade in the Black Sea since the February invasion last year.

"Ukraine defense is important to the security of the Euro-Atlantics. Now Britain, Norway and other countries will support Ukraine in developing its navy," said Norwegian Defense Minister Bj▁putrarn Arild Gram.

"Our goal is to contribute to building Ukraine's long-lasting naval capabilities. In future efforts, I hope Norway, as a seafaring country, can contribute to maritime expertise, new technological solutions, and innovative thinking."

It is known that the new Maritime Capability Coalition will build on the support Britain, Norway and other countries provide Ukraine, long-term, to help Ukraine increase its navy.

The new maritime coalition will work closely with the Ukrainian Navy and the Ministry of Defense to develop a number of capabilities, including the rapid development of maritime forces in the Black Sea, developing the Ukrainian Marine Corps and river patrol boats to defend coastal areas and inland waters.

Agreed at a meeting of Ukraine's 50-nation Defense Contact Group recently, the agreement is part of a series of Coalitions Ability to strengthen Ukraine's operations in other areas including on land and in the air.

In addition, Britain and Norway, along with other international partners, have helped train hundreds of Ukrainian marine. Royal Navy.