Our defence begins in Ukraine

Given their disappointing performance at the start of the war in Ukraine, we should welcome renewed efforts by European allies to beef up their support for Kyiv.

Earlier this week France committed to sending AMX-10 armoured reconnaissance vehicles and Bastion armoured personnel carriers. Yesterday it was Germany’s turn, when Berlin announced it would hand around 40 Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukrainian commanders, who view such kit as crucial to mobile counter-offensive operations. The German announcement was accompanied by hints that more such weaponry was to come from another ally in the near future. Hopefully that means Britain.

So far, we have been key in mobilising European support for Ukraine and in leading by example. It would be desperately sad if such commitment was to falter now. It might be said that the mobile armour Ukraine so desires is one area where Britain is itself weak. Procurement has, over several decades, proved disastrous. The programme to deliver a next-generation armoured vehicle known as Ajax has descended into farce. But solutions exist. Though an upgrade programme for the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle was cancelled, Warrior remains a significant battlefield asset. Moreover, the first vehicles of its replacement, Boxer, are due to be delivered this year.

There are two key lessons. The first is that procurement failures, which in peacetime can seem to cost only time and money, end up costing lives and eroding national security. The second is that it is now clearer than ever that our national security begins on the battlefields of Ukraine.