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Ukraine: UK Military Support
11 May 2022
Lead MP
Leo Docherty
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
UkraineDefenceBenefits & Welfare
Other Contributors: 18
At a Glance
Leo Docherty raised concerns about ukraine: uk military support in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The UK condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine and supports Ukraine's sovereignty. The government has provided military aid including over 6,900 anti-tank missiles, Javelin missiles, air defence systems, and other equipment. £1.3 billion in funding is confirmed for military operations and aid to Ukraine, with £300 million allocated for electronic warfare equipment and night-vision devices. The UK's humanitarian assistance taskforce remains at readiness and has pledged £220 million of aid, including medical supplies.
John Healey
Lab
Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
Question
The Secretary of State promised to keep the House updated on Ukraine; from the outset, Labour supports military assistance. The conflict is now long-term with no mass mobilisation expected. New NATO weapons are needed for medium-term support. Questions about supplying NATO stocks, training Ukrainians, and maritime support for Odesa are raised. Defence cuts and Army size are discussed.
Minister reply
Grateful to the shadow Secretary's questions; the focus is on meeting Ukrainian requests with significant defence spending uplift ensuring we have what we need to deliver effect. The UK will play a central role in rejuvenating Ukraine’s armed forces, economic support, and infrastructure rebuilding. There is no gap concerning hypersonic missiles; future capabilities are under review as part of energetic investment in cutting-edge technologies.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Does the Minister regard Russia’s use of hypersonic missiles as a gap in our defence matériel? What measures is he taking to address this, possibly with AUKUS allies?
Minister reply
The Russian military's operational failings are evident. While not speculating on future capabilities, significant investment is made in cutting-edge defensive technologies such as those developed in Farnborough.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Question
Asked about anti-ship missiles for Ukraine, the grain export issues, and the potential shortfall in meeting NATO's 2% GDP defence spending commitment. He also questioned if Putin would use chemical weapons.
Minister reply
The Minister referred to Brimstone capability being deployed as a potent system. Concerning grain exports, he will engage with the Secretary of State for International Trade. On NATO’s 2% GDP spending goal, efforts are ongoing to minimize waste and ensure compliance. Regarding chemical weapons, discussions about potential use by Putin's regime were acknowledged.
Question
Asked about supplying temporary bridges and infrastructure repair hardware to Ukraine.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed the importance of rebuilding infrastructure and supported efforts from both government and private sectors. He stated that providing temporary bridge kits is part of ongoing support.
Question
Asked about cyber-defence capabilities being provided to Ukraine.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed assistance would be given, noting the expertise of allies like Estonia in countering Russian cyber threats. A robust cyber defence is a part of the collective western response.
Question
Asked about stepping up co-operation with NATO and other European allies.
Minister reply
The Minister agreed on the importance, noting ongoing work with amphibious nations in northern Europe. The visit to Finland and Sweden was acknowledged as vital for supporting European allies.
Dan Jarvis
Lab
Barnsley North
Question
Asked about concerns over the size of the UK Army following Chief of the General Staff's comments.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that due to £24 billion in uplifted defence spending, the armed forces are well-equipped and more lethal. The invasion of Ukraine has proven the integrated review right.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
Question
Asked about military training for Ukrainian troops.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed ongoing discussions guided by what Ukrainians want, referencing Operation Orbital which has trained over 25,000 Ukrainian troops since 2014.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
Asked about landmine removal equipment sent to Ukraine.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged ongoing discussions guided by Ukrainian requests. UK has significant expertise due to past involvement in the Middle East, including organisations like HALO Trust.
Question
Asked about evolving types of equipment and commitment duration.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that equipment provision will evolve as needed. Support is defensive and focuses on training and doctrine sharing with Ukrainian forces, anticipating a long-term relationship.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Asked about potential challenges to the UK's armed forces due to escalation or food shortages.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that armed forces are more mobile and agile than ever before, with a £24 billion uplift in defence spending. He reassured readiness to address future threats.
Question
Asked about the duration of UK support for Ukraine and ally alignment.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed long-term commitment, noting close relations since 2014. Resolve is key, with western Europe demonstrating shared resolve against Russia’s lack thereof.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
The MP's question or point. Include their concern, local impact, or criticism. The humanitarian support that the Minister mentioned includes how we welcome Ukrainian people who want sanctuary. A constituent of mine is sponsoring a family of five. The first visa was approved on 13 April and the fifth visa took until 9 May. Those delays are inexcusable and impossible to understand for those applying or for the public in this country. Will he again raise with his colleagues across Government the importance of getting this right and offering that welcome in a timely and humanitarian way?
Minister reply
I thank the hon. Gentleman’s constituents for showing that compassion. The British public’s response has been absolutely magnificent in this regard. I will raise that issue with the relevant Home Office Minister.
Toby Perkins
Lab
Chesterfield
Question
The Minister talks about the agility of the British Army, but do we not also need some agility in the thinking of Defence Ministers? It is clear that the integrated review was written with a very different world in mind. It almost entirely overlooked the threat of war in Europe, and we have seen in our history the danger of being complacent. I worry that the hubris of Ministers in defending that integrated review will prevent them from showing the agility to change, now that the threat has changed. Will he think again about the decision to cut 10,000 more of our troops, which the CGS is concerned about, and the decision on Challenger tanks, and make sure that we can deal with whatever threat faces us?
Minister reply
I contest the hon. Gentleman’s characterisation of the integrated review. He will know from reading it that Russia as a threat is, first and foremost, contained in the analysis of the integrated review, so it was alive to the threat on the European mainland. We retain agility of thought across the ministerial team. We are a threat-led organisation. We will continue to keep our defence posture under review, but thanks to the £24 billion uplift, we are in good shape.
Mark Hendrick
Lab Co-op
Preston
Question
I commend the Minister for the amount of humanitarian and military aid going to Ukraine, but what assessment has he made of the Ukrainians’ capacity to distribute that humanitarian aid effectively, and of the Ukrainian army’s ability to get that equipment into the theatre effectively, and its skills and capacity to use it effectively?
Minister reply
That is an interesting pair of questions. When it comes to the robustness and the organisational ability of the Ukrainian armed forces and humanitarian forces, we have been reassured and amazed by their resilience and by the extent to which they have maintained their integrity in their operational capability, so we should be confident that all support that we provide, whether it be defensive lethal aid or humanitarian aid, is reaching its required destination.
Question
The UN has said that the Ukrainian death toll is likely to be much higher than the 3,381 so far confirmed. What support is the UK offering to help Ukraine to retrieve and count its dead and ensure that families are informed where possible?
Minister reply
We will, of course, afford all help that we can following requests from Ukraine. We should put it on record that we are expectant that the Ukrainians, with our support if required, will do a very thorough job of gathering all relevant evidence of Russian atrocities—especially against innocent civilians, women and children—in order that Putin and his cronies are held to account very firmly and in good order in front of the International Criminal Court.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
From Saturday until yesterday morning, I had the opportunity to be in Poland and see some of the things that the Polish nation is doing for Ukrainian refugees. It is good that, whenever we speak to Foreign Ministers there, they tell us that the people of the United Kingdom and their Government have been exceptionally helpful. I want to put it on the record that that came straight from the ministerial Department. In the light of the suggestion from US intelligence that Putin is bedding in for the long haul, will the Minister make it clear that our military aid, including anti-tank missiles and supplies from Belfast and my constituency of Strangford, will also be available for the long haul, along with the humanitarian aid that is very important for the victims of Putin’s oppression, aggression and violence?
Minister reply
I can absolutely give the hon. Gentleman that reassurance. What I think is unique about the nations supporting Ukraine is their collective resolve and our absolutely firm determination to see this through for the long term, however many years that may be.
Shadow Comment
John Healey
Shadow Comment
The shadow Secretary supports the government’s military assistance to Ukraine but calls for a shift towards medium-term support. He questions if UK is supplying NATO weapons and whether contracts are signed for new weapon supplies. He also inquires about an update on weapons supplied by the UK and western allies, maritime support for Odesa port, and ongoing review of components used in Russian weaponry.
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