Britain is secretly helping Ukraine build its own military capabilities, including an indigenous long-range strike capability, a top British defence chief has claimed. Air Vice-Marshal Sean Bell, who served 32 years in the RAF, said that Western support is crucial in boosting Ukraine’s domestic military production.
Bell cited Ukraine’s home-grown ballistic missiles programme as a significant example of this cooperation. The country successfully tested its first domestically-produced ballistic missile in August 2024. He also highlighted Ukraine’s ramped-up drone manufacturing capacity, which has increased substantially since the invasion in February 2022.
The UK and other Western allies have committed funds to support drone production in Ukraine, introducing foreign technologies and expertise into the industry. This support has boosted production and allowed Ukraine to expand its reach, targeting infrastructure and military bases deep inside Russia.
Bell acknowledged that supply chains can be a challenge, but said that during wartime, safety checks are often bypassed. He emphasized that Ukraine needs to strike back at Russia, and that relying solely on Western weapons is not a viable option. The British defence chief’s comments come as Russian forces continue their advance in eastern Ukraine, capturing village after village in the region.
Source: https://www.gbnews.com/news/world/ukraine-war-russia-vladimir-putin