Most of the military aid to Ukraine from Britain consisted of old equipment

This was stated by the UK National Audit Office, RBC-Ukraine reports citing the Financial Times.

At the same time, the UK Ministry of Defense sent equipment that was “subject to recycling or replacement” and considered it “directly valuable to Ukraine.” This helped reduce waste and disposal costs.

To find additional equipment, the UK resorted to innovative methods, such as rebuilding spare tracks for Soviet T-72 tanks using samples from a museum.

Amid nearly three years of war, some of Ukraine's Western allies are showing support fatigue. However, the United Kingdom remains one of the largest providers of aid to Kyiv, with €9.07 billion, behind only the United States (€65.7 billion) and Germany (€18.85 billion). London has promised to continue to provide assistance at the level of €3.5 billion a year.

Although much of the old equipment had a low book value (200 million euros), its replacement would cost the UK 3.16 billion euros. So far, London has spent another €2.81 billion on new equipment, €585 million on an international fund, and €970 million on operational support, partly through NATO.

Gareth Davies, the head of the UK National Audit Office, emphasized the need to maintain a balance between supporting Ukraine and ensuring the UK's own military capabilities. The National Audit Office also expressed concern about the lack of training for Ukrainian recruits, especially in countering drones.

Despite some limitations, the report praised the work of the UK Ministry of Defense, noting its success in speeding up equipment procurement, such as an air defense system that was delivered in just six weeks.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 11/09/2024