The UK’s weapon stockpiles have been left at a “threadbare” stage after arming Ukraine’s warfare in opposition to Russia for two-and-a-half years.
Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard claimed the main target must be on ramping up weapons manufacturing between the West and Ukraine as a part of a longer-term technique that will hold a dependable provide of kit heading to the nation.
Speaking at a fringe occasion on the Labour convention on Tuesday night, Pollard stated: “I think most western nations have gifted most of the deployable resources they have … so we are seeing a greater trading relationship being formed.”
He later claimed: “Not only do we need to refill our stockpiles, we need a reliable supply to get to Ukraine to continue the fight.”
UK weapon stockpiles have been depleted
PA
Pollard confirmed it’s the “right thing” for the UK to produce Ukraine.
However, the Plymouth Sutton & Devonport MP added: “We have depleted our own stocks in order to do that.”
Pollard’s feedback come after the National Audit Office claimed that British army stockpiles had been so depleted that the UK was pressured to slash donations to Ukraine in the midst of final yr.
The Ministry of Defence “sharply reduced” transfers of army tools to Kyiv in the midst of 2023 after concluding additional donations of deadly support would pose “unacceptable risks to the UK’s military readiness”.
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Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard claimed the main target must be on ramping up weapons manufacturing between the West and Ukraine
PA
However, the overall worth of fabric despatched to the ex-Soviet state from British stockpiles was £171.5million within the interval from 2021 to 2024.
A pointy decline was witnessed inside the time interval after £130m of kit despatched in 2022-23 to only £15.9m in 2023-24.
The UK donated 14 Challenger 2 tanks, which had been valued at £17m.
They had been value £47m when initially bought between 1998 and 2001.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the UN safety council this week that the continuing warfare between Russia and Ukraine couldn’t be calmed by talks
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the UN safety council this week that the continuing warfare between Russia and Ukraine couldn’t be calmed by talks.
He as an alternative urged the West to place strain on Moscow to seek out peace.
Zelensky met with outgoing US President Joe Biden on the White House to debate Ukraine’s “victory plan” on Thursday.
Joined by Democratic hopeful Kamala Harris, Zelensky thanked the US for its “unwavering bipartisan support”.
In a separate assembly with Donald Trump, the ex-US President stated: “I also have a very good relationship as you know with President Putin and I think if we win [the election] we’re going to get it resolved very quickly.”
