Hundred Year Partnership Agreement with UK: Shmyhal, Healey sign defense roadmap in Kyiv
Ukraine's Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal and the United Kingdom's Secretary of State for Defence John Healey on Friday, January 9, signed in Kyiv a roadmap for the development of the centennial partnership in the defense sphere.
According to Ukrinform, Shmyhal stated this on Facebook.
The document formalizes defense cooperation for 2026 across a number of key security areas.
"This is an important step toward implementing large-scale projects made possible by the One Hundred Year Partnership Agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom," Shmyhal noted.
He thanked Healey for the visit.
"Together with representatives of the intelligence community and the General Staff, we briefed him on the consequences of Russia's massive combined strike overnight. Strengthening air defense and ensuring a sufficient supply of ammunition for these systems remain key priorities," Shmyhal said.
According to him, "the UK has already made a significant contribution to strengthening our ability to repel Russian terror."
Starting in February, Shmyhal reported, "we are reaching production of 1,000 Octopus interceptor drones per month."
Separately, Shmyhal and Healey discussed opportunities for joint strategic industrial projects in air defense and long-range weapons, prospects for localizing production of Swedish Gripen aircraft that incorporate technologies from British companies, strengthening protection of Ukraine's maritime domain, and preparations for the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting scheduled for February.
Shmyhal thanked the United Kingdom for its invaluable support and personally thanked Healey for his leadership and consistent assistance to Ukraine.
As Ukrinform previously reported, on October 15, 2025, the Centennial Partnership Agreement between Ukraine and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland officially entered into force in London.
Photo: facebook.com/dshmyhal