The United States’ State Department has agreed to support a request by the Ukraine government for help in maintaining and repairing artillery weapons, with BAE Systems in Barrow named as the principal contractor.
According to the US Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) the contract, worth an estimated $104 million, includes equipment, repair services, and technical assistance to maintain Ukraine’s fleet of M777 Howitzers.
The support will also involve providing training, documentation and logistical support.
The DSCA said: “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
“The proposed sale will improve Ukraine’s ability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defence and regional security missions with a more robust local sustainment capability. Ukraine will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces.”
Earlier this year BAE Systems began work on a new multi-million-pound artillery development and production facility in Sheffield.
Business Crack has asked the company whether the work will be carried out in Yorkshire or Cumbria as the DSCA statement said.
