UK and Norway join forces to help Ukraine build coastal, maritime defences

11 months ago 33

Norway and the UK will lead a maritime coalition to help Ukraine build up its coastal and maritime defences, the countries’ defence ministers announced after a meeting in London on Monday.

Norwegian Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram was in London on Monday to present a Maritime Capability Coalition (MCC) together with his British colleague Grant Shapps.

“It is extremely important that Ukraine gets better control of its coastline,” said Gram.

Along with several other countries, the UK and Norway will help Ukraine improve security along its coast and at sea, with Norway and the UK set to lead the maritime coalition, the Norwegian government said in a press release published Monday evening.

“Russia uses the Black Sea as a base for missile strikes against the Ukrainian mainland. And open sea routes are incredibly important to Ukraine’s economy, not to mention the ability to export grain,” Gram told the press on Monday.

Meanwhile, the announcement added that Norway will also be open to contributing maritime expertise, new technological solutions and innovative thinking.

“We need to help Ukraine open trade routes and ensure free passage in the Black Sea. Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s naval defence and improve its ability to operate along its own coast,” Gram added.

He further explained that Norway has already trained Ukrainian soldiers in small boat operations and can build on this support once concrete plans for further development are finalised.

“The aim is to develop further the work that allies and partners are doing to support Ukraine, both in the short and long term. The UK, Norway and others are helping Ukraine build a sustainable maritime capability. This is a long-term project, and the support will require a lot of work over many years,” Gram added.

(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)