Ukraine can play a useful role in international efforts to ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz, said UK Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, praising its drone technology as one of the best in the world, UNN reports with reference to Reuters.
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This month, the UK hosted discussions among more than 30 countries on how to reopen the strait amid an Iranian blockade that has paralyzed oil supplies after US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Britain to hold meeting on Strait of Hormuz next week - media10.04.26, 21:43
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this week that Ukraine participated in consultations on protecting shipping, drawing on the experience of the four-year full-scale war launched by Russia. Ukraine has already sent more than 200 experts to the Middle East, where they shot down Iran's long-range Shahed drones, the publication writes.
"Ukraine has some of the best technology in the world, which it has developed here during the war. I think it can be useful in the Middle East, as we already see against Shahed drones, all the way to the Strait of Hormuz," Al Carns said during a visit to Kyiv on Friday.
Carns, who served as a colonel in the British armed forces before being elected to parliament two years ago, said his visit was aimed at reassuring Kyiv that the war in Ukraine remains a top priority for UK defense and security.
He downplayed tensions in the NATO military alliance after US President Donald Trump's criticism of European allies for not joining the war with Iran, saying NATO was still "the backbone of our security."
While the UK provides Ukraine with funding, training, and military capabilities, Carns said the UK also has much to learn from Kyiv's battlefield innovations, particularly in drone technology, data utilization, and artificial intelligence.
"This is a revolution in military affairs, and we need to move faster," Carns said.
Incorporating advancements in military affairs into the UK's 10-year defense investment plan takes time, but a report will be ready this spring, Carns said.
Carns urged Ukraine to accelerate the export of its advanced technologies to capture a share of the global market before other countries catch up, and to promote training and development with NATO allies.
Ukraine issued its first export licenses in February. Kyiv hopes to raise funds to expand its defense industry, using its weapons as diplomatic leverage over allies, the publication notes.
However, some industry executives complain that Kyiv is delaying the approval of licenses and risks losing the opportunity provided by the war with Iran, the publication writes.
"Ukraine needs to accelerate its export potential," Carns said. "I still believe the best systems are in Ukraine, but the rest of the world is catching up."
Zelenskyy announced active work with partners in the coming weeks11.04.26, 20:18