Ukrainian sailors are being trained use underwater mine-hunting drones of the Royal Navy, which play vital role in help clear its coastline.
More than a dozen Ukrainian personnel have already started a three-week course at the facility in Southern England, training how to work and analyze data from ships.
Drones scour the seabed using sonar technology and will be used by the Ukrainian Navy to detect explosive ordnance. in water.
Commander of unit of Ukraine – who not want to be named, Sky News told Sky News that the drones “will be very useful for us to clear sea areaespecially in very critical region near Odessa.
He added: “Our primary mission is to detect these mines, because it is very important not only for in the military for civilian ships, for civil trade.”
In the current situation, the complete demining of the coastline may take a decade, but for now in the spotlight on return to Ukraine with in skills to “immediately” begin operating drones.
He added: “The whole nation, like one fist, we are strong.”
The program is expected to key in help move grain ships out of country is safe.
Export from the Black Sea ports resumed start of August after Russia lifted the naval blockade – a blockade that had devastating consequences. on delivery and price of grain throughout world.
However, exports are slow and eventually thwarted by the threat of sea mines.
Lord Admiral Alan West, a former First Sea Lord, told Sky News that underwater drones would “game changer” for Ukrainian fleet.
“They are should to be capable of clear a main route out of their ports are very fast.
“This is very important because there is a huge pressure global pressure actually. start displacement of what one could call grain mountain.
“And it’s not just grain, it also vegetable oil and corn. It affects on fasting levels in large parts of in world where are they right on edge of starvation.
“This material should start moving.”
Training is provided by the Royal Navy Diving and Threat Study Group in conjunction with the US 6th Fleet.
Upon completion they will gift six autonomous drones to search for mines in Ukraine.
Three of these will be provided from warehouses in the UK, while the other three will be sourced from industry.
Sean Heaton, Commander of in Royal Navy The Diving and Threat Exploitation Group told Sky News: “At this point, it is important for those commercial ships to be able to get in as well as out.
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“And therefore, for Ukrainian Navy to be able to conduct their own searches of the sea floor and knowing exactly where the threats lie is vital to what they do.”
Despite the fact that the training was organized in a short time, he says the sailors were incredibly motivated and learned quickly.
“Their enthusiasm and level of energy required to explore and understand these abilities is truly remarkable.
” fact what they know what will this opportunity give them when they go back home what drives them and work with them and be able work with them, is real privilege”.
Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “Russia’s cynical attempt to hold on to the world cannot be allowed to succeed in ransom food deliveries.
“This vital equipment and training will help Ukraine makes its waters safe by helping to smooth the current of grain to the rest of in world as well as supporting Armed forces of Ukraine because they want to protect their coastline and ports.”
