Ukraine and the UK sign a partnership agreement on battlefield technology

Ukraine and the UK signed a statement of intent on partnership within the LYRA programme - Shmyhal

Ukraine and the United Kingdom formalise intentions to cooperate in the field of defence technologies for the battlefield within the framework of the programme LYRA.
This was announced by the Prime Minister Denis Shmygal after the signing of a statement of intent between the defence ministries of both countries.

«The aim of the LYRA programme is to combine Ukrainian and British defence industrial and scientific potential to jointly develop, modernise and scale up the production of critical systems to protect our countries», said Shmygal.

What does the LYRA programme involve?

According to the document, the cooperation will cover several areas:

• joint research projects and development of combat systems;

• modernisation of existing platforms and integration of new technologies (including digital solutions and battle management systems);

• scaling up production at Ukrainian facilities with British technical support;

• exchange of experience between defence companies and universities of both countries.

«Combining our capabilities will allow us to bring more effective and adapted solutions to the battlefield faster,» the Ukrainian government said.

A separate agreement on artillery

Along with the LYRA statement, the following were signed a project agreement on the joint production of artillery.
The document envisages technical cooperation, technology transfer and the participation of British partners in setting up mass production of the relevant systems in Ukraine.

Analysts suggest that such cooperation will make it possible:

• speed up the production of artillery systems and ammunition;

• reduce dependence on imports of certain components;

• improve the technological level of the Ukrainian defence industry.

Implications for defence capability and the economy

The LYRA partnership should become not only a military but also an industrial initiative: it opens the way for investment, job creation and modernisation of defence enterprises.
In addition, joint production of artillery can make a significant contribution to the restoration of military capabilities in a short time.

«This is a strategic step to strengthen Ukraine's defence and develop our industrial base», the government representative concluded.