The United Kingdom has publicly confirmed for the first time that it operates a network of military maintenance and repair facilities inside Ukraine, a move aimed at accelerating the return of
damaged battlefield equipment to the front lines.
According to the UK government, four maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sites are already operating across Ukraine, with a fifth facility currently in development. These sites are run by British companies under contracts with the Ministry of Defence and employ both British engineers and Ukrainian specialists.
The facilities focus on repairing and restoring armored vehicles, artillery systems, and other military hardware damaged in combat. Among the equipment serviced are British-supplied CVR-T armored vehicles, Husky support vehicles, and L119 light guns, as well as older Soviet-era military equipment still used by Ukrainian forces.
The repair hubs also handle all AS-90 artillery systems donated by the UK. Through cooperation with Sweden, the facilities are additionally capable of servicing Swedish-made Archer artillery systems deployed by Ukraine.
Britain began establishing these engineering sites after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. By placing repair capabilities directly inside Ukraine, damaged equipment can be fixed more quickly and returned to operational use without the delays involved in transporting it abroad.
British engineers are currently working on the ground alongside Ukrainian technicians to maintain and repair combat vehicles and artillery systems. During a recent visit to one of the facilities, UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard met with personnel working around the clock to keep Ukrainian military equipment operational.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: “While the world’s attention is focussed on conflict across the Middle East, the UK is standing firmer with our friends in Ukraine. Visits to Ukraine have always been deeply poignant for me - the UK will never waver in our support for Ukraine and we are clear that Ukraine’s security is Britain’s security.
From the factory floor to the frontline, the UK is standing with Ukraine. Our pioneering facilities are helping keep Ukraine’s defiant Armed Forces in the fight against Putin’s brutal attacks, and British firms are boosting long term industrial production in Ukraine and partnering with Ukrainian companies to benefit both our nations”.
He added that the maintenance facilities demonstrate how British industry and Ukrainian forces are working together to strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities while creating skilled jobs within the country.
During his visit, Pollard also led the seventh UK-led trade mission to Ukraine — the largest so far. The mission brought together more than 80 delegates representing 55 companies and five international partner nations: Estonia, Finland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. A record 35 British companies participated, ranging from major defense contractors to smaller technology firms.
Organized by the UK defence and aerospace trade association ADS Group, the mission focused on strengthening partnerships between British companies and Ukrainian industry. Discussions included potential investment opportunities and ways to expand domestic defence production inside Ukraine.
The visit also resulted in a new agreement under Programme Lyra, a UK-Ukraine technology exchange initiative launched by the British Prime Minister and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in June 2025. The latest deal will see both countries collaborate on advanced British electronic warfare technology, integrating it with Ukrainian platforms to enhance battlefield capabilities.
Officials say the growing cooperation reflects a long-term commitment by the UK to support Ukraine’s defense sector. Plans are also underway to open a new British Business Centre in Kyiv to strengthen industrial partnerships and encourage further investment.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the UK has pledged more than £21.8 billion in assistance to Ukraine, making Britain one of Kyiv’s largest bilateral supporters. Photo: Harland Quarrington/MOD, Wikimedia commons.