Ukraine and the United Kingdom will expand cooperation
in such areas as aircraft engineering and training of Ukraine's Air Force as
well as its Army and Navy, according to state-run Ukroboronprom's press service
and the British Ministry of Defence.
As part of his trip, Fallon visited state-run
Antonov's facility that assembles its new AN-132 plane, using British
components. "The Defence Secretary also spoke about how the UK is a
partner in prosperity with Ukraine. He met with staff of the Antonov National
Company, the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturers company.
British equipment from operations in Afghanistan and
now in Iraq has been transported using Antonov aircraft and Dowty Propellers,
based in the UK, has started component deliveries for propeller systems that
will equip a demonstrator for the company's new An-132 twin-engine transport
aircraft," the British Ministry of Defence reported in turn. Fallon also
said that the United Kingdom stands firmly alongside Ukraine as the British
Army prepares to broaden its already extended training package to all of the
country's armed forces and the UK is beginning to deliver training to Ukraine's
Air Force as well as its Army and Navy.
"Meeting with Defence Minister of Ukraine,
General of the Army Stepan Poltorak, the Defence Secretary confirmed that the
UK's short-term training teams will have trained 5,000 members of the Ukrainian
Armed Forces by the end of March – 1,000 more than initially planned - and will
now continue in their training role for another year," the British
Ministry reported.
During his visit, Fallon met with Ukrainian veterans
to hear first-hand how the UK's training provides vital support for the UAF. In
December he confirmed that the training programme, named Op Orbital, would be
extended meaning UK forces will be in the country until at least 2018. As the
UK extends its training, a new regiment – 4 SCOTS – will take over dedicated
delivery of the infantry short-term training.
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